Archive for the ‘Family & Parenting’ Category
Divorce-related websites:
This website has a variety of articles for parents and children. The information includes communication skills and coping ideas to help throughout one’s lifetime.
This site includes resources and information on divorce as well as a guide to locate professionals that can assist with the transition.
Information about the legal process and laws around divorce for each state.
Regularly updated information about support groups (by zip code) for parents. Also, a list of suggested reading material.
Information on federal, state and international laws around divorce. There is also book and article suggestions and parenting plans listed here.
You will find on this site a computer based parenting calendar program.
This site provides information about the impact of divorce on families. There is a portion that includes information on legal, real-estate, psychological and financial advice.
This website includes a lot of information on legal, financial, parenting, etc. aspects of divorce. There is a special portion of this website called, “Total Parenting Handbook” which includes excellent advice on parenting as a divorced parent.
Here you can find message centers, child support calculations by state, divorce-related reading material and more.
The website for the non-profit organization; “American Academy of Matrimonial Lawyers.”
The Children’s Rights Council website. You will find here information about this non-profit organization that assists children of separation and divorce.
Children of Separation and Divorce Agency. This website offers great reading information for children.
Parenting Tips for dealing with divorce– from the Marion County Oregon Circuit Court Page
Dealing With Divorce
Top 10 list of things parents can do to help their children adjust to family change:
- Offer simple explanations about the changes in the family. Children especially need to hear what will not change, i.e. will attend same school, will continue with swimming lessons, will keep their dog, etc.
- Reassure children many, many times that the changes are not their fault. They didn’t cause it, they can’t fix it, but you will help them cope. You can’t say this enough.
- Help your children accept that divorce is a final decision.
- Do not allow your children to become your peers. Avoid confiding in and relying on them as you would a good friend. Children do not do well while attempting to meet adult emotional needs.
- Do involve your children in household chores and decisions. Tell them that their input is valuable. Feeling needed in this way is a good thing.
- Do not give up your power as a parent out of guilt. Your children need clear and enforced limits now more than ever. Because the changes cause insecurity, children will test those limits to see if you are for real. Set limits and consequences with calmness and clarity.
- If one parent drops out of your child’s life, say: “I don’t know why your mother/father hasn’t made arrangements to see you, but I know one thing, it has nothing to do with you! You are very lovable and I enjoy being with you very much.”
- Do not criticize the other parent. It directly affects children’s identities. They see themselves as half Mom and half Dad. When one parent is labeled stupid or lazy, children assume they must be thought of that way too. And it actually causes them to think less of the criticizer in the long run.
- Do not put children in the middle by using them as spies when visiting the other parent, by asking them to carry messages back and forth, or by expecting them to take sides between parents.
- Listen. Take time before bedtime, in the car, on Saturdays to listen. Begin by saying you know it has been hard for them. Repeat their words back to them. Let them know that all their feelings are OK and talking about them really helps.
Check out the Child Care Resource and Refferal sites in your states:
Oregon: www.oregonchildcare.org
Washington: www.childcarenet.org
Fantastic Parenting Sites
www.parentingcenter.com This web site is sponsored by YMCA, Ford Motor Company, Eli Lilly and Disney Mobile. They offer state-by-state resources and social services for families. They also offer ideas for family activities.
www.timetoparent.org This web site is a federal resource guide which provides information on health, education, resources and safety.
www.parentingtoday.tv Parenting is a difficult job. This website gives you videos of parenting tips and advice.
Divorce Information
Information regarding Green Card divorce and Military Laws on Alimony & Child support – www.lovetoknow.com/Help_for_Divorced_Women
Federal and international laws on divorce, parental rights, etc. www.divorcelinks.com
A Must Read Book for Parents!
“Protecting the Gift: Keeping Children and Teenagers Safe (And Parents Sane)” By Gaven De Becker
-I am reading this book right now and it is fantastic! I highly recommend this book to all parents, grandparents or anyone who is thinking about having children. Gaven de Becker, an adviser to the C.I.A., gives you priceless information and tools on how to protect your children from danger. He also teaches you how to teach your children to keep themselves safe. I purchased my copy from a local Goodwill. I suggest checking there or getting a used copy on Amazon.
Here is what the back of the book reads: “All parents face the same challenges when it comes to their children’s safety: whom to trust, whom to distrust, what to believe, what to doubt, what to fear, and what not to fear. America’s leading expert at predicting violent behavior shatters the widely help myths about danger and safety, and helps parents find some certainty about life’s highest-stakes questions:
- How can I know a baby-sitter won’t turn out to be someone who harms my child?
- What should I ask child-care professionals when I interview them?
- What’s the best way to prepare my child for walking to school alone?
- How can my child be safer at school?
- How can I spot sexual predators?
- What should I do if my child is lost in public?
- How can I teach my child about risk without causing too much fear?
- What must my teenage daughter know in order to be safe?
- What must my teenage son know in order to be safe?
- And finally, in the face of all these questions, how can I reduce the worrying?”
Training for those with children with special needs
In case you have not heard from PAT National already….
Exciting Professional Development Opportunity!
Supporting Families of Children With Special Needs
This two-day session is open to any early childhood professional (do not have to be PAT certified!) working with parents of children with special needs. Participants will receive professional development verification for 13 hours. This training includes:
v Understanding family challenges & strategies to provide support
v Strategies for communicating with parents
v Activities that individualize & facilitate each child’s growth and development
v Access to national & local resources and contacts
August 17 and 18, 2010
8:30 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.
Education Northwest
101 SW Maine Street, Suite 500
Portland, OR 97204
Registration fee of $315
Supporting Families of Children With Special Needs curriculum/guide $100
2009 Edition examines the special challenges facing families whose children may benefit from special services. The guide includes: personal visit plans * group meeting plans * a CD with handouts for parents & care providers that are adaptive to various age groups * Spanish handouts CD available-$35
Registration Form is Attached
Registration deadline is this Friday, July 30th!
For more information contact
Bridey Mendoza-Moore, Bridey.mendoza@Morrisonkids.org or
Ann Haffner, Ann.Haffner@ParentsAsTeachers.org
PLEASE PASS THIS ON TO ANYONE YOU THINK MAY BE INTERESTED
THANK YOU!
Free Strong Bonds Marriage Conference for Army Couples
My husband and I have attended two of these conferences in the past two years because they are so fantastic! These conferences are especially beneficial for couples that are facing deployment or are dealing with reintegration. The conference includes a free hotel room, free meals, great speakers that give tips for improving your communication and relationship, as well as other advisers that are available to assist you in things such as financial planning. The locations of the conferences have been beautiful too. I find these conferences relaxing, rejuvenating and definitely well worth it.
I strongly encourage that you consider attending this conference. Find out about upcoming conferences and how to sign up:
http://www.strongbonds.org/skins/strongbonds/home.aspx
Support for sufferers of mental Illness and for their families
If you or a loved one is suffering from a mental illness, learn more about support that is available in your area. The National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) has several locations in each state.
Locations in Oregon:
Locations in Washington:
Books Related to Military Deployment & Relationships
Suggested books for families going through a military deployment:
1. Faith Deployed-Encouragement for Military Wives
2. Heros at Home, by Ellie Kay
3. New Direction 1/2, by Oliver North
4. On the Front Line, by Tom Neven
5. Man in the Mirror-Bullet Proof Faith Book, by Jeff Struecker