I recently attended the Alabama Counselors Association Conference 2016 and put together this list of resources for counselors to help them better serve families of divorce.  Most of these resources are specific to school counselors but not all of them are.  I hope you will find these resources helpful!  

 Perspective in our circumstances is everything, especially in coparenting.  For the custodial and non-custodial parent each position comes with its unique challenges and often times we can only see our perspective.  However, having knowledge of the other's perspective can help change our perspective.

The temptation in coparenting is to believe that the grass is always greener on the other side and all the crap is in YOUR part of the pasture. The reality is that coparenting is hard on either side of the fence as a custodial or non-custodial parent.  A custodial parent has the most physical time with the child and cares for the child in regard to the day-to-day decisions.  A non-custodial parent is one who does not have primary physical custody but can still have legal rights and should play an important part in their life.

Mediation occurs when a divorcing couple and usually their attorneys come to the table with a mediator to help resolve any disputes they have regarding their divorce. It is non-adversarial conversation.  The divorce mediator is usually an attorney or mental health professional.  The mediator's role is to facilitate a discussion.  A mediator is not a judge.  They do not make any decisions, instead they help the parties involved talk about the issues calmly and negotiate a mutually acceptable agreement.

Currently, technology plays a pivotal role in how one's co-parenting relationship is played out.  Unfortunately, some couples have used it as a means of destruction to destroy each other and publicly display "their dirty laundry".  This does not encourage a co-parenting relationship.  Using technology to hurt your former spouse only ends up hurting your children...and yourself.

Coparenting after a divorce can be an ugly process that can bring out the worst in people. Divorce is a process that breeds selfishness and bitterness. It is no wonder that as you go through a divorce communicating with your former spouse can only get harder and harder. That is why treating your former spouse, as a new business partner may be just what you need for your kids to thrive in your new co-parenting relationship.