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Parents Are the Key!

Parents can PREVENT problems from developing in their children and parents can help FIX problems that do arise.

A number of key factors can help children make the adjustments to their parents' divorce and avoid developing problems or symptoms that are common to children of divorce. Remember these key factors:

  • Good adjustment of residential parent
  • Competent parenting of mother
  • Access to and continuity with non-residential parent
  • Competent parenting of father
  • Expanded parent-child contacts
  • Reduced conflict between parents
  • Limited Family transitions
  • Cooperative co-parenting arrangements


Important Internet Resources

Collaborative Divorce
www.cflutah.com

Mediation Resources
www.utcourts.gov/mediation

Divorce Orientation and
Divorce Education Classes
www.utcourts.gov/specproj/dived.htm

Developmental Assets

The Search Institute has identified 40 Developmental Assets that help children grow up healthy, caring, and responsible. During a family divorce, some of these Developmental Assets become even more significant in the lives of children. Go to the Search Institute web site to view the 40 Developmental Assets that apply to your child's (children's) ages. Here are some of the key developmental assets for school-age children and teens:

  • Family life provides high levels of love and support
  • Child receives support from three or more non-parent adults
  • Parents are actively involved in helping the child succeed in school
  • Child feels safe at home, school, and in the neighborhood
  • Families have clear rule and consequences, and monitors the child's whereabouts
  • Parents and other adults model positive, responsible behavior
  • Child spends three or more hours per week in lessons or practice (music, theater, other arts)
  • Child spends three or more hours per week in sports, clubs, or organizations at school or in the community
  • Child is motivated to do well in school
  • Child reads for pleasure three or more hours per week
  • Child places high value on helping other people
  • Child tells the truth, even when it is not easy
  • Child accepts and takes personal responsibility
  • Child knows how to plan ahead and make choices
  • Child seeks to resolve conflict non-violently
  • Child reports haveing high self-esteem
  • Child is optimistic about his or her future