CHILDREN FIRST:  Co-Parenting Support Services

Co-Parenting Workshop Program:
ü      A minimum of two (2) workshop groups will be run concurrently.
ü      Two groups allow each parent to participate separately from their child(ren)’s other parent.
ü      Workshops are comprised of thirteen (13) 90-minute meetings.
ü      Individual parents can attend without the other parent.
ü      A certificate of completion will be given at the end to those that complete all of the assigned activities, attend the required number of sessions, and pay all fees.

Workshop Description:  This workshop focuses on developing co-parenting skills.  Parents will develop skills to help them navigate through the hostility and conflict that occur around communication with the other co-parent, scheduling, school activities, holidays, decision making, and new partners, as well as other topics.  The primary book for this workshop is:
Cooperative Parenting and Divorce:  Shielding Your Child From Conflict
Susan Blyth Boyan, M.Ed., LMFT & Ann Marie Termini, M.S., LPC
Additional materials are also used from these books:

The Co-Parenting SURVIVAL GUIDE: Letting Go of Conflict after a Difficult Divorce
Elizabeth S. Thayer, Ph.D. & Jeffrey Zimmerman, Ph.D., New Harbinger, 2001.

Nonviolent Communication: a Language of Compassion
Marshall B. Rosenberg, Ph.D.

      Workshops Facilitated by:
Max August, M.A.                                            Syd Walters, M.A., LMFT
Gabrielle Viethen, MA., LPCC, LMFT                Kathleen Oweegon, Mediator
Marie Harrison, RN, BSN, M.S.W.                       Philip Crump, Mediator

       Other services available by appointment at selected locations:
o  Supervised transfer of children between co-parents using Children’s Rights Council trained monitors
o  RAINBOWS  support groups for children to help them cope with the grief of separation and divorce.

MAKING CO-PARENTING WORK *

     ü       Separate parenting issues from spousal issues.
   ü      Create clear boundaries for the new co-parenting relationship.
            ü      Disengage in all areas except parenting.
   ü  Formalize parenting roles and responsibilities.
   ü       Use a business relationship as your model.
   ü       Monitor your own thinking.
   ü  Redefine the relationship in your own mind.
   ü  Compartmentalize the present parenting role from the past spousal role.
   ü Think and talk about the other parent as a co-parent or business partner; quit using negative labels.

SEVEN KEYS TO SOUND CO-PARENTING *

1. I will respect the other parent’s autonomy with the children.
2. I will use the “on-duty/off-duty” parent concept.
3. I will follow the model of a business relationship when dealing with each other.
4. I acknowledge and respect the importance of the other parent’s relationship with the children.
5. I will not assumeanything; give the benefit of the doubt.
6. I will Communicate about the children using effective communication tools.
7. I will make containing the conflict a top priority.

* Adapted from:  Divorce & New Beginnings, Genevieve Clapp, Ph.D., 2000