Divorce
Although divorce rates are currently at a 40-year low, it is an issue that continues to impact many of our students on a daily basis. In addition, many of our students are living in single-parent homes where their parents were never married and even more are living with a grandparent or other relative. All of this simply means that we must be extremely sensitive and mindful when we talk about family dynamics with our students.
BRIEF SUMMARY
Although divorce rates are currently at a 40-year low, it is an issue that continues to impact many of our students on a daily basis. In addition, many of our students are living in single-parent homes where their parents were never married and even more are living with a grandparent or other relative. All of this simply means that we must be extremely sensitive and mindful when we talk about family dynamics with our students.
KEY POINTS
- When reaching out about an issue with a child when the parents are divorced, it is important to contact both parents and share the same information. Check the cum folder for custodial arrangements when you are unsure.
- Support groups are a great way for children and teens to process their feeling about family issues.
RESOURCES
- Divorce Jenga banana splits jenga
- Children of Divorce Bill of Rights child of divorce bill of rights
- Wonderful (song by Everclear-you can find the music video on YouTube) Wonderful
- Counselortalk ideas Counselortalk suggestions March 2017
- This item is copyrighted. Call the number at the bottom of the document to get permission. divorce teen guide
SHARED WISDOM
- Q: Does anyone have suggestions for kids books explaining divorce? Or ideas about what to tell the kids without giving them too much adult information (these are lower elementary age kids) or hurting their relationship with either parent?
- A: My go-to books are: “Dinosaurs Divorce” by Laurene Krasny Brown and Marc Brown, “Divorce Happens to the Nicest Kids” a self help book for kids by Michael S. Prokop, M.Ed., “The Divorce Workbook” a guide for kids and families by Sally Blakeslee Ives, Ph.D., David Fassler, M.D. and Michele Lash, M.Ed.
- Dinosaurs Divorce is a great book. It covers so many different scenarios kids may go through.
- A guardian ad litem is sometimes appointed by the court in particularly complicated situations. Their job is to determine the best outcome for the child and they can be a wonderful ally in advocating for children.
- Always follow a child’s lead on defining their family members. For example, some children don’t use terms like step-parent and if they don’t, neither should we.
CONTENT FEEDBACK
If you have suggestions, feedback, or resources, please email counselor1stop@inspiresuccess.org and let us know.