Why Parents Forever?
Parents Forever was developed by University of Minnesota Extension based on research about the effects of divorce on children. Parents Forever meets the 25 minimum standards for court mandated parent education required by Minnesota Statute 518.157 . This statute requires judges to court order parents with contested custody and visitation issues into an approved parent education program. We offer our parent education classes in 65 Minnesota counties.
Research shows that less than 50% of the current generation of children can expect to live continually with their biological parents throughout their childhood.
Children who experience family disruption:
- Often live with parental conflict before, during and after the divorce
- Experience the absence of the non-custodial parent - often the father
- Are more likely to be poor, have emotional problems, conceive a child in their teens, get in trouble with the law, have lower academic achievement
We know that the affects of divorce on children can be reduced if the parents:
- Avoid putting children in situations where their loyalty to the other parent is threatened
- Learn new and more effective approaches to parenting
- Adjust to the role of single parent for the residential parent or as a non residential parent, maintain close ties and remain available to the children
- Create a business-like plan to parent that is focused on the needs of the children
- Learn to communicate with the other parent about issues related to the children and
- Learn how to make the necessary joint decisions with a minimum of conflict
Our goal is to help parents:
- Eliminate parental conflict in front of the child
- Keep the child out of the middle of parent issues
- Provide access to both parents
- Put the best interest of the child first
Program Content:
- Impact of divorce on adults
- Impact of divorce on children
- Money issues in divorce
- Legal issues and the role of mediation in divorce
- Pathways to a new life
How Parents Forever is delivered:
University of Minnesota Extension provides training for professionals through in-person day-long professional development and on-line training course. Parents receive the class through local collaborations who offer Parents Forever in their community. Parents may be court ordered to attend or may attend voluntarily.
