Parents Forever: Impact of Divorce on Children Educator Guide

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Session 1

Introduction

It is recommended that this material be taught in two sessions. In these sessions, parents will

gain skills, knowledge, and access to resources that will enable them to make responsible parenting decisions based on the needs of their children
learn about the potential effects of divorce on their children at various ages and developmental levels
learn how to support their children's adjustment to divorce
learn positive parenting concepts and positive discipline techniques to address the challenges of parenting children who are experiencing divorce
handle potential problem areas in their relationship(s) as parents
learn about conflict reduction and problem-solving skills.

The goal of Impact of Divorce on Children is to teach parents to guide their children through the divorce process with as little negative impact to their children as possible.

Teaching Outline

Introduction
Components of the Curriculum
Using the Curriculum
To All PARENTS FOREVER Educators
Main Points of Sessions 1

Understanding Your Children

Stages of Grief
Psychological Tasks for Children Experiencing Divorce
Issues of Developmental Ages and Stages
Factors that Affect Children's Adjustment to Divorce
"Children in the Middle"
Things Divorced Parents Say
Are You Alienating Your Children from the Other Parent?
Let Children Be Children
Loyalty Conflicts

Strengthening Your Communication Skills

"I" Messages
Active Listening

Conclusion

Session 2

Introduction

Session 1 of Impact of Divorce on Children focused on how children are impacted by divorce. Presented were various age levels and the kinds of difficult behaviors divorcing parents may encounter in each. Divorcing parents can easily make a bad situation worse for their children by the things they say about the other parent, and examples of these were given.

Now parents can examine more closely the kinds of things they can do to improve the divorce experience for their children. Parenting styles, discipline tools, and forging a plan for raising your children in the future all figure into the healing process, and allow your family to envision a positive future.

Teaching Outline

Main Points of Session 2

Your Role as a Parent

Children's Rights When Their Parents Divorce
Helping Children Through Divorce

The Need for Discipline

When Discipline Is Needed
Purpose of Discipline
Parenting Styles
Why Children Misbehave
General Principles About Discipline During Divorce
Resources for Parent Education

Parallel Parenting

Maintain Close Relationships
Post-divorce Parenting Relationships
Parallel Parenting
Parallel-parenting Business Principles
Sample Parallel-parenting Plan
Parallel-parenting Worksheet

Conclusion

Appendix I

What the Research Says About Physical Punishment

Appendix II

Discipline Tools for Parents in Divorce Transition

Prevention tools
Guidance tools
Consequence tools

What to Do When a Child Misbehaves
Reasonable Consequences

Bibliography

About the Parents Forever Program

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