Divorced Fathers Network
Advocates Of Shared Parenting
'Because Children Love Both Their Parents'

Listen To the Children

DO:

• Tell the children about the separation together, if possible.
• Answer the children's questions honestly while avoiding unnecessary details.
• Reassure the children that they are not to blame for the separation.
• Tell the children that they are loved and that they will be taken care of.
• Include the other parent in school and other activities.
• Encourage the relationship between the children and the other parent.
• Be consistent and be on time to pick up and return the children.
• Develop a workable parenting plan that gives the children access to both parents.
• Guard against canceling plans with the children.
• Establish two homes for the children with two fully involved parents.
• Give the children permission to have a loving, satisfying relationship with the other parent.

DON'T

• pump the children for information about the other parent
• try to control the other parent
• use the children to carry messages back and forth
• argue in front of the children
• discuss child support issues with the children
• speak negatively about the other parent
• put the children in the position of having to take sides
• use the children as pawns to hurt the other parent.

From the video, "Listen to the Children: Divorce Education for Parents"© The Family Law Section of the State Bar of Michigan. Reprinted with permission.
The Co-Parenting Class * POBox922.Soquel.CA 95073 (831)454-1862

Contact DFN by: phone: 831-335-5855
DivorcedFathers.org
Email:steve@divorcedfathers.org