What You Will Learn
I wouldn’t miss my dad so much if I didn’t hear my mom crying so hard every night. It’s not fair my dad isn’t here to do his job.
Twelve-year-old boy
Journal Entry
Please take a few minutes to answer the following questions:
1.
You have completed Unit 1. Have you tried any of the new things you learned? How did they work?
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Watch this video. Please listen to what this child “writes” about divorce.
How did his statements make you feel? Think about your children. What in this video sounded like your children? What sounded different? Maybe your children are not talking yet. What comments do you hope they will make when they are older? Which hints made sense to you?
Journal Entry
Please take a few minutes to answer the following questions:
2.
Did you grow up with single parenting? Did you worry about your parents breaking up? If your parents were separated, what was good about it? What do you wish had been different? What were your feelings about marriage, divorce and separation when you were young? What did your children say about your divorce/separation?
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About This Unit
You and your co-parent are divorcing or separating from each other. You are not divorcing your children. And you probably hope you are not separating from them. But children are an important part of the divorce and separation process. Your relationship affects the whole family.
In this unit you will learn how to help your children at this difficult time. We will talk about what might be happening with your children. We will describe common reactions at different ages. We will give you ideas about how to talk with your children and get them to talk with you. We will talk about how to help them feel safe. Finally, we will share some suggestions for special situations.
After you finish this unit, you should be able to:
List common reactions children have when their parents divorce or separate.
Describe some good ways to talk with children about divorce and separation.
Make a plan to help your children if they are having special problems.
