Divorce Education Program for Parents: Divorce is hard on everyone involved, especially the children. It’s not always easy to keep a good outlook for the sake of your children.
But attending a course on co-parenting can help ease the transition and reduce the stress on the children. Divorce parenting workshops teach parents conflict resolution skills and strategies for effective co-parenting.
Why Should I Enroll In A Parenting Course?
Now, before a divorce or custody agreement can be finalized in many jurisdictions, parents must first complete a parent education program.
Most parenting programs required by the court after a divorce are intended to help the parents maintain a cooperative relationship for the sake of their children.
They help by providing parents with the necessary tools for effective communication and parenting to ensure that their children are kept out of the middle of any arguments.
States which generally require parents to attend parenting classes for divorce include:
| Alaska Arizona California Florida Georgia Hawaii |
Idaho Illinois Minnesota Nebraska New Jersey Oklahoma |
Oregon Tennessee Texas Washington West Virginia Wisconsin |
These courses may be required by the court if the divorce is considered to be hugely controversial. After the divorce, the parents are given guidance on how to reduce the strain on their family by focusing on their relationships with their children.
When children are the center of their parent’s attention, they are less likely to feel ignored or blame themselves for their parent’s divorce.
The recommendation to take a co-parenting class remains the same even in those states where it is not required by law. Divorce can be less traumatic for everyone involved if the parents and the kids work together to resolve the issues that arise.
In addition, parents are educated on how to spot signs of trauma in their children. Anger and frustration can lead to destructive behavior, depression, and social withdrawal.
Parents who have taken parenting classes will be best prepared to spot this sort of behavior in their child and guide him or her toward greater self-awareness and the development of stress reduction.
Where Do Divorced Parents Go To Attend Parenting Classes?
A certificate of completion from a provider approved by the court may be required before a divorce can be finalized if classes were ordered by the court.
Typically, the court will supply information on local classes. You may also wish to consult with an attorney in order to obtain such a list. The court might supply you with a list of providers even if you are not ordered to attend a parenting class.
Community organizations and institutions like the United Way and churches also offer educational opportunities for local residents.
Co-parenting classes are also available to the public at some counseling clinics. You can begin looking for these services on the internet or by making a phone call.
Can I Enroll In An Online Parenting Course?
Taking a parenting course online can be far more convenient and private than attending one in person. The flexibility of taking lessons from home eliminates the need to arrange for childcare or take time off work to attend traditional classroom settings.
The lessons are designed to be taken at your own schedule, so you can review material before moving on. If your divorce does not require that you take a co-parenting class, you may find that doing so online is more convenient.
If you are required to take parenting classes as part of a divorce, you should verify that the court will accept your online course before enrolling.
Requirements may vary depending on the state, county, and judge. Because of this, you should verify with the court that they will accept a certificate of completion from an online course before enrolling in such a program. You will need to enroll in a parenting class that has been approved by the court if your chosen course is not accepted.
You should check out The Center for Divorce Education, a fantastic online resource. The organization provides the Children in Between Program, developed by famous psychologist Dr. Donald Gordon.
Divorce can be difficult for everyone involved, but this program uses an interactive, skills-based approach to help relieve that burden.
The emotional well-being of your child depends on you taking the initiative to improve your parenting and co-parenting skills.