Resolution, the national family justice organisation, has created a free guide for families who are divorcing or separating. The Parenting Through Separation Guide is written by family professionals and helps parents put their children first during a separation. The guide is being launched during Good Divorce Week which runs from 29 November to 03 December 2021. This year, the focus of Good Divorce Week is parenting through separation.
Putting children first during a relationship breakdown
At LSL Family Law, we understand that the pandemic has placed a huge strain on families and even more so on those who are separating. Every parent wants to put their children’s interests first, but all too often they don’t know where to turn for help and aren’t given the support they need to do this.
It is important for parents to have access to good, authoritative, and professional advice that helps them to parent responsibly through their separation. We hope separating parents will find the Parenting Through Separation Guide beneficial, enabling them to find a better way forward for themselves, and for their children.
What information does the Parenting Through Separation Guide contain?
The free Parenting Through Separation Guide is available to any parent seeking help during their separation. It contains advice about how to co-parent with a former partner, background on common disputes that arise between separating parents, how to talk to children about the painful topic of divorce or separation, and much more.
Here’s an extract from the guide outlining top tips for discussing divorce with your children:
- If your situation allows, try to have a joint conversation when all your children are present. Keep this age appropriate.
- Plan a series of conversations, including different follow up conversations, if your children are different ages. Be mindful that their reactions will depend on their age, developmental stage, and their individual personality.
- Reassure your children that it is okay to feel sad or scared and showing emotion is good. They can always talk to either of you and ask questions.
- Remember you are a role model and your children are watching how you manage this situation. If they see that you are still their parents, making decisions together about them, then they will cope better.
The importance of constructive advice
Tanya Foster, our family law consultant and family mediator, is thrilled to recommend the new guide to our clients:
“Knowing that you are not alone, and that it is possible to find out how to support children when a relationship breaks down, is vital for parents. This guide provides excellent advice, helping separating couples to find ways to work together and make the journey a little less bumpy for their children.”
Where can I access the Parenting Through Separation Guide?
You can download your free copy of the Parenting Through Separation Guide here!
How can LSL Family Law help?
Linda Lamb and Tanya Foster are Resolution-accredited specialists who understand how challenging and stressful a relationship breakdown can be. If you are going through a separation and would like to find out more about the options open to you, please contact us.
