Media Release
Thursday 19 January 2006
Survival kit for separated families celebrating Australia Day
Separated families feeling the pressure to 'put on a brave face' for Barossa Valley's Australia Day celebrations may be helped by Dealing with Separation, a free, interactive CD-ROM produced by the Child Support Agency.
Indeed, hundreds of mums, dads and children are expected to attend the Australia Day flag-raising and citizenship ceremonies and welcome by Mayor Brian Hurn on January 26 at the Tanunda Show Hall, Elizabeth Street, Tanunda.
CSA's Acting General Manager, Trevor Sutton says 'there is no doubt that special family days like Australia Day and the school holiday period can be very stressful for separated families.'
'It can be difficult for separated parents to decide who has the children and lonely for the parent who is not involved in these special family days.'
With more than 13,000 separated parents registered with CSA in the Wakefield area, CSA has reprinted Dealing with Separation, to help these families deal with the complex emotional and financial issues of separation.
The CD-ROM contains real life experiences of separated parents and includes tips and hints to help deal with children, self-esteem, loneliness, anger, and how to recognise the symptoms of stress and depression, Mr Sutton says.
Dealing with Separation includes useful advice on how to:
- have a close relationship with your children when you no longer live with them
- look after yourself through separation so you can be there for your kids
- build and maintain a business-like relationship with the other parent
- keep track of household bills
- connect to support networks through a hyperlink to helpful websites
Parents can order a free copy of Dealing with Separation online at www.csa.gov.au or call 131272. Copies are also available at the local library, family court registry or through local community service providers. The CD-ROM can be run on most computers, using Windows 98, 2000 or XP software.
Parents can also order a free copy of Me and my kids and my Ex which was launched in December last year.
Media enquiries:
0434 605 144
media@csa.gov.au
