The Enid News and Eagle, Enid, OK

Local news

Discussion

October 14, 2012

Parenting class will be held tonight

Enid News and Eagle

ENID, Okla. — Divorcing parents often are faced with many new problems during this difficult time for the entire family. Although their marriage is ending, their role as parents continues through their lives. To help make this transition easier, Northwest Family Services Inc. staff member Amber Maier, MS, LPC, will teach a Parenting Through Separation and Divorce class tonight.

The class will be 6-9 p.m. at Northwest Family Services, 620 Flynn, Alva. To enroll, call Amber Maier at (580) 327-2900 or email amber @northwestfamily.net. Participants must pre-enroll; the class will be canceled if there is inadequate pre-enrollment. The class costs $30 per person.

This class was designed at the request of the courts to help divorcing couples understand the problems their children may experience during and after a divorce or separation. It will fulfill the court order for all divorcing parents. Parents will learn skills to parent cooperatively, even though they are divorced.

In the class, parents will learn how to effectively communicate with their children and their former spouse. They will practice reflective listening skills and study various active communication techniques and nonverbal communications. They also will practice workable negotiation styles for dealing with conflict and rules for effective expressions.

Recognizing and avoiding “pain games” is another topic of consideration.  Parents will learn to recognize and cease games like I-Spy, Set-up and Wishbone, which are likely to hurt the children. Class members also will discuss various options for parenting, such as joint custody and mediation.

The two remaining Parenting Through Separation and Divorce classes will taught Nov. 19 in Fairview and Dec. 17 in Cherokee.

Text Only
Local news