Cooperative Parenting and Divorce is researched-based program helps divorcing parents shield their children from parental conflict. Parents learn to guide their children through the process of recovery while establishing a positive, long-term relationship with the child's other parent.
The program is designed for parents who are demonstrating low to moderate levels of parental conflict and should be offered in addition to any program for lower-level conflict situations, such as Families In Transition and Parent Education. The program material educates parents on the impact of their conflict on their child, as well as children's issues in divorce and teaches parental practical skills needed to manage anger, increase impulse control, resolve conflict and learn how to communicate effectively.
The goals of the program include
- Assisting parents in shifting their role from former spouses to co-parenting
- Educating parents regarding the impact of parental conflict on their child’s development
- Helping parents identify their contribution to conflict while increasing impulse control
- Teaching parents anger management, communication skills, conflict resolution skills, and children’s issues in divorce.
The program is part video and part group discussion. It is designed for 8 sessions lasting 2 hours each and is recommended for groups of 7 to 10 parents. The Parent's Guide provides vital information and gives real-life examples and worksheets so parents can practice their skills at home.
The topics for the eight sessions are
- Session I, Child-Focused or Out of Focus: Making a Commitment to Care
- Session II, Plan for Peace or Tug of War: Allowing My Child to Love Both Parents
- Session III, Letting Go or Holding On: Changing My Long-Term Role
- Session IV, Make It Better or Keep it Bitter: Choosing My Personal Path
- Session V, Neither Fight Nor Flight: Managing My Anger
- Session VI, Defuse or Light the Fuse: Taking Control of Conflict
- Session VII, All A Winner or Winner Take All: Negotiating Agreements
- Session VIII, Cooperative or Conflict: Co-Parenting is Forever.
One or two trained Leaders conduct the 8-week program. Each week represents one chapter of the required parent’s guide. The course outline is as follows: chapters one and two emphasizes the child’s experience of divorce; chapters three and four focuses on the adult’s experience of divorce; chapters five and six feature communication skills and anger management; and chapters seven and eight stress negotiation skills and planning for the future.
To find a Cooperative Parenting and Divorce program near you, contact Fayette County, Mediation Center of Kentucky, 859-246-2664; Henderson County, Center for Marital and Individual Enrichment, 812-477-5199 or the Henderson County Family Court, 270-869-0460; Lewis County, Valley Hope Center, 606-796-6400; or Boyd County, Evans and Associates, 606-329-9333.
For additional information or to start a CP&D program in your community, contact Pauline Roberts, Certified Trainer for the Cooperative Parenting and Divorce program, 502-573-2350 ex. 2165.