What Are Parent Education Programs?
Divorce is a complicated and emotionally charged experience. Clearly this is true for the couple ending their marriage, but it is also true for the children they share. In fact, it is often said that divorce is hardest on the children. Pennsylvania law recognizes this and in some cases, parent education courses are required. Not all divorcing parents in the state are required to attend these courses but in some cases, they are court-ordered. Below, our Delaware County child custody lawyer outlines what these courses cover, and the benefits they hold for the entire family.
What Do Parent Education Courses Cover?
Parent education courses for divorcing parents consist of a number of online modules or multiple courses in a physical setting. The curriculum covers multiple topics related to co-parenting during and after divorce. Some of the most common topics covered are as follows:
- The impact of divorce on children
- Communication strategies
- Techniques for conflict resolution
- The child custody laws in Pennsylvania
- Strategies to support children as they adjust to the divorce and the changes it brings
What are the Benefits of Parent Education Programs?
For children, divorce is a confusing and stressful time. The purpose of parent education programs is to provide divorcing parents with the resources and tools they need to reduce the negative impact on the children. Some of the most important benefits of these programs are as follows:
- Minimize conflict: Parent education programs help parents sharpen their conflict resolution skills, which help them communicate and cooperate with each other in a more effective manner. This minimizes exposure to conflict for the children, which can create an environment for them that is more stable.
- Better communication: For co-parents, effective communication is critical. Parent education courses give divorcing parents important strategies for talking about divorce with their kids, and help them maintain open communication with each other, during and after divorce.
- Providing emotional support: These programs help parents identify the signs of distress in their children and provide them with coping mechanisms they can share with their children. This supports the emotional well-being of the children during and after the divorce.
- Effective decision-making: When parents can better understand the impact divorce has on their children, they can make better decisions about financial planning, child custody arrangements, and other elements of divorce that will impact their children’s lives in a positive way.
- Minimize stress for parents: When parents are given the resources and skills to navigate divorce in a healthy manner, it minimizes the stress they feel which ultimately, creates an environment that is more positive for the children.
Call Our Child Custody Lawyer in Delaware County Today
Even when parent education courses are not court-ordered, completing one can make the divorce process much easier. Additionally, obtaining sound legal advice from a Delaware County child custody lawyer will also relieve much of the stress associated with the divorce process. At Barbara Flum Stein & Associates, our Delaware County child custody lawyer can help you through initial proceedings or help you modify or enforce an existing order. Call us now at 610-565-6100 or contact us online to schedule a consultation and to get the legal help you need.
Source:
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