“Co-Parenting” (sometimes called “shared parenting”) is when both parents work together as a team to raise their children, even after the marriage or romantic relationship is over. Contrary to what some believe, this is not a skill that most people are taught, so you may have to engage in a class such as this, to find the best method and tips to help you co-parent your child. Here, you will receive effective parenting tools you can use “NOW” in parenting your children from separate homes.

One important reason to work on co-parenting is that it helps children deal with all the changes that happen when their parents are no longer together. Did I say work? Yes, I said work. Like everything else in life, co-parenting is something you work on daily, providing mental as well as physical support to your children. Even though you may not want to talk to the other parent after the romantic relationship ends, you still have a very important relationship, and it’s the most important one of all, your parent relationship with your child.

PARALLEL PARENTING

Sometimes, there are situations and issues that make co-parenting, difficult or inappropriate. For some, the divorce or separation was accompanied with mental and physical abuse, substance abuse or protective orders and other high conflict issues. Issues that lead to conflict may include:

Continuation of hostility that began during the marriage or relationship.

Different perceptions of pre-separation and post-separation child- rearing roles.

Different perceptions of parenting styles or abilities.

Unwillingness by one or both parents to accept the end of the marriage/relationship.

Jealousy about a new relationship in the other person's life.

Contested child custody issues.

Personality factors that stimulate conflict in one or both parents.

Violence or abuse.

Learn how to co-parent from a distance, when communication with the other co-parent is at “zero level.” Let us give you the parenting skills, parenting tools, resources, along with an easy to understand parenting plan, which will help you and your children during this time of transition.

Class Discussion:

To teach parenting skills in order to increase the effectiveness of parenting from two separate homes.

To make parents aware of the impact of parental conflict on children.

To assist parents in keeping children out of the middle of a conflict.

To help parents identify what triggers anger or conflict and teaches them techniques of problem solving and negotiation.

To help parents identify and meet the needs of their children.

Whether you are court mandated, or you simply want information about how to keep your kids healthy and safe throughout the divorce process, call to register now at (757) 327-0481. We will be happy to assist you through both education and life experiences.