Parenting Separately Program
The Parenting Separately Program helps separated couples with strategies on how to deal with challenges relating to co-parenting, and guidance on how to lessen the impact of parental conflict on children.
Throughout the year the program saw an increase in referrals. While these were mostly court- referred and court-mandated referrals, there was also an increase in self-referrals.
According to practitioners, one of the highlights this year was changing the content of the program to be more inclusive of different learning styles. This was achieved by adding interactive experiences to the program. One client, who had attended the Parenting Separately Program in the past, noted the difference in the interaction levels between the participants with this new model.
Feedback from participants stated that the program was nothing like they expected, but everything that they needed.
Feedback from participants stated that the program was nothing like they expected, but everything that they needed. One participant commented that they didn’t want the program to finish.
Read on to meet some of our program participants:
Meet Jane *
Jane had just separated from her partner of ten years. They have three children together and were looking to access mediation through RA Tas. It was suggested that prior to mediation they access the Parenting Separately Program.
Jane welcomed participating in the program, as she wanted the best for her children as she entered the co-parenting journey.
Jane said that parenting before the program was tough. She would often think about the children but wouldn’t necessarily put them first.
After Jane attended the program, she learnt to look at situations through her children’s eyes and to put their needs first. Jane learnt not to have those tricky conversations when the children were around, and to role model healthy relationships.
Jane and her ex-partner recently held two children’s birthday parties together, where they both attended and contributed. Both birthday parties were such a success and Jane said that without the help of RA Tas this wouldn’t have been possible.
Jane has also encouraged her co-parent to attend the program, so together they can achieve the best outcomes for their children.
‘The program was interactive and so personal, and I now have the confidence to navigate a successful co-parenting relationship‘, says Jane.
Meet Rob *
Rob is a single father of two children aged three and fifteen. Each child is to a separate partner.
Throughout Rob’s separations he has had to manage conflicts with both his ex-partners around what is best for the children.
Rob participated in the program to develop a better understanding of co-parenting and to learn more about communicating. He entered the program with his children in mind, both of whom come with different relationship dynamics.
Rob found the program gave him the tools and strategies required to recognise and deal with challenging situations. The program helped Rob explore what is best for the children and to always put them first.
On a personal level, he learnt how to stand up for himself and how to communicate in a less emotionally charged manner. Rob said that prior to the program, he would have never stood up for himself. He would have avoided the difficult situation or raised his voice.
Despite ongoing challenges with his ex-partners, Rob now feels better prepared to respond to co-parenting situations as they arise.
* Names have been changed