Kids & Co-Parenting

The transition is tough on kids, and tough on parents. Check out these free resources to learn how to make it easier on your family ... and that will make it easier on you!
SPLIT - A Film for Kids of Divorce (and their parents)
gives the children's perspective on divorce... no adults, no experts… just kids speaking the powerful truth of what is on their minds and in their hearts. A Kickstarter funded project by filmmaker Ellen Bruno, her goal is to "get kids talking-to each other, to their parents, and .. others.. and to encourage kids to tell us what they need and want as their families change. The hour-long film is due out winter 2013. In the meantime enjoy the trailer below. More info is available on Split's website.
Tips for Parents
  • Tell your kids first and if possible both parents should be present.
  • Explain it's not their fault and that Mom & Dad will always love them.
  • It's conflict, and putting children in the middle that hurts kids the most, be they 8 or 35,...not the divorce itself.
  • Do not bad mouth the other parent. Kids know they are half mom & half dad ... so it hurts them greatly.
  • When things get heated, repeat to yourself:  I love my children more than I hate my spouse....
Spare the Kids--- A Video for Parents
We highly recommend this 18-minute video which will help you understand how to handle separation & divorcing in a way that best serves your children. Done in a documentary style, it provides insights from a variety of perspectives from children (now adults) of divorce as well as divorce professionals from a judge, to attorneys, to co-parenting experts. The video was produced by the VA State Bar Family Law Section, with a grant from the VA Law Foundation. 
Kids & Infidelity
You've just found out about the affair, now how do you handle your kids finding out? This short video may help.

Kids Health.org
Click on this site and you'll land on a page with 3 separate entries: one for kids, one for teens, and one for parents. Created by the Nemours Foundation, KidsHealth is a highly regarded website dedicated to the health and well-being of children. Relevant articles, written by experts, include:
   Links for Parents
   Links for Kids

Articles

There are many good, free articles you can read written by professional organization. Examples:

Newsletters

The Child Centered Divorce- This ezine has lots of helpful information for parenting your child through separation and divorce. 

The ProChild Way - In this monthly newsletter Ellen Kellner, a mom writing from the trenches, shares insights and tools for coparenting. Her writing is engaging and helps you put things in perspective. Check out Ms. Kellner's book, by the same title, in our eBookstore.

Especially for Moms

Custody Preparation for Moms
Geared toward moms battling for custody, this non-profit website offers articles, links and understanding. 

Moms Over Miles
This website helps moms (military, business travelers, and noncustodial) keep a connection with their kids. Check out: 20 Activities for moms over a distance.
Up to Parents.org
This is one of our favorite sites to help parents understand, and come to terms with, the challenges of co-parenting. It is free, confidential and interactive. The site's goal is to spare children from the harmful affects of parental conflict. Tools include a sample parenting agreement, as well as exercises to help you and your co-parent overcome the obstacles of parenting with an ex. Definitely worth checking out.
While We Heal.org
Here you'll find information and tools to help parents, in the process of working through marital difficulties, meet their childrens needs. By the same people as UpToParents.org, it is free, confidential and interactive. Provides tools to help parents understand how to manage conflict in a manner best for their children.

Help Guide.org
You'll find lots of good parenting aticles here. Help Guide is a non-profit site, dedicated to "helping you and your family understand, prevent and resolve medical and physical health challenges."  Articles, written by experts, provide links to valuable resources. Articles to check include:
National Family Resiliency Center Online Library
Downloadable articles for parents & kids. Also check out Family Connex a child-centered parenting planning tool.

Especially for Dads

mrdad.com
The tagline "Great Dads aren't born...they learn over time" says it all. Encouraging, uplifting and honest, you'll get some good tips on the FAQ's for Single Dad's page.

Dads at a Distance
This website helps dads (military, business travelers, and noncustodial) keep a connection with their kids. Check out: 20 Activities for Dads to do with kids