Family relationships do not disappear when a marriage ends in divorce. For the sake of their children, divorced parents must continue to communicate with their former spouses in matters of child-rearing. The ability of parents to interact with each other greatly affects the child's adjustment to divorce. Unrelenting parental conflict is the single most common cause of poor adjustment in children following a divorce.
Cooperative Parenting and Divorce is a psychoeducational program designed to improve the quality of the parental relationship in situations of divorce. The overall emphasis of Cooperative Parenting and Divorce is to offer children the opportunity to grow in a home environment free from being caught in the middle of parental conflict.
Cooperative Parenting and Divorce is the most extensive, informed and interactive resource to date examining the complex realities of divorce. This thoughtful and practical program can be implemented in eight sessions lasting 2 hours each.
The Cooperative Parenting and Divorce program has been well received by judges and juvenile courts throughout the nation since its introduction in 1995.
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Cooperative Parenting and Divorce explores the issues associated with divorce through a group format that can be implemented easily and safely, while creating a supportive group environment.
The program is designed for parents demonstrating mild to moderate levels of parental conflict. It is facilitated by a trained parent educator.
- Program components include a Leader’s Guide, Parent’s Guide and companion video
- Consists of eight 2-hour weekly classes
- Incorporates skill development, small and large group discussion, parent interaction and weekly homework assignments
- Highlights specific, proven-effective activities
The goals of the program include:
- Assisting parents in shifting their role from former spouses to co-parents
- Educating parents regarding the impact of parental conflict on their child’s development
- Helping parents identify their contributions to conflict while increasing impulse control
- Teaching parents anger management, communication and conflict resolution skills and children’s issues in divorce
Cooperative Parenting and Divorce benefits children by:
- Reducing the child’s symptoms of stress as parental conflict decreases
- Diminishing the child’s sense of loyalty binds.
- Allowing the child to love both parents
- Creating a more relaxed home atmosphere, allowing the child to adjust more effectively
- Teaching effective communication and conflict-resolution skills as modeled by their parents
- Increasing the likelihood of keeping two active parents in the child’s life
Cooperative Parenting and Divorce benefits society by:
- Decreasing future litigation, court costs and time
- Expanding the definition of “family,” thereby preserving and strengthening the family structure
- Potentially reducing adolescent drug and alcohol problems, teenage
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