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Children
Children's rights
While you and your ex-partner have made a decision to separate, it is important that both of you remember that your children are in effect innocent bystanders. They have rights in this situation too and as their parents you need to put them before your problems with your ex. Guidelines of children's rights.
Problem solving
To reduce the potential for conflict every time something new arises or there is a change, agree on how to deal with things up front, before they become an issue. Win/win - 6 steps to problem solving.
Children's reactions to parents' separating
Regardless of their age, children are likely to experience similar emotions to their parents. They may, however, express them in different ways. Often, children do not talk about what they are thinking and feeling, but may display their thoughts and feeling through changes in behaviour. Ways children can react to their parents' separation.
What about Me? (PDF 2.9M) also has information on what your child is going through, how to recognise the signals and suggestions on how to talk to your kids about the separation.
Positive discipline techniques
Discipline involves more than handing out punishment when something goes wrong. You can avoid many issues by adopting positive discipline techniques. Positive discipline techniques.
Teenagers can also be a challenge. Talking with teenagers can assist you with ideas on how to deal with adolescents.
How to tell the children
It may be difficult but it is important that both parents tell the kids about the separation. How to tell the children.
Strategies for building self-esteem in children
Children always want and need to know that they are loved and appreciated. At the time of separation this is even more important. They need to know that they are loved so that they are able to build a strong sense of themselves, and grow up with confidence in their own worth and ability to be loved for who they are. Strategies for building self-esteem in children.
Tea time topics
Separation often means that you have to parent one-to-one for the first time. This can be a challenge! If you spend time apart from your kids, it can be especially difficult and you may feel anxious or uncomfortable at first. One way to overcome these feelings is to be prepared. Make sure you have something to say to start the ball rolling and look for opportunities to share your experiences, to inform, to teach and to encourage. The following topics are suggestions for you to use when you are having meals or spending time with them. Tea time topics.
The Community Services Directory
There is help out there! The Community Services Directory provides information on community organisations nationwide that can provide you with assistance with many different issues.
Other resources
Me and My Kids—Parenting from a distance (PDF 485k)
What about Me—Taking care of yourself (PDF 2.9M)
Me and My Money—Practical money ideas (PDF 691k)
Me, My Kids and My Ex—Building a workable relationship with the other parent (PDF 836k)
