| Parent Education on Divorce Workshop 2 August 2011 |
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 Parent Education on Divorce Workshop 2 August 2011 50.92 KbAttendance at a parent education workshop seeks to focus on the development and well-being of children and to encourage better outcomes for children and families. Early intervention in working with families and educating them, is critical. Children and parents going through a divorce (and separation) are at risk. The importance of educating divorcing parents about the effects of divorce and specifically parental conflict on their children, is imperative. In 46 states throughout the United States there are parent education programs presented. Most of these states mandates all parents seeking a divorce to attend a parent education program. Research has shown that attending such a program increases parents’ sensitivity to their children’s needs, reduce conflicts, and promote more cooperative approaches to parenting. Attending this workhop is a positive step toward coping with divorce and reduces the stress of a breakup on children. Parents and professionals who have attended had this to say: “I thoroughly enjoyed Mathilda’s approach - an interactive workshop with insightful stories about personal experiences as a mediator and social worker - which serves well in putting things in context and perspective.” Psychologist. “Thank you very much! May all the people attending, get as much from this as I did.” Mother “Brilliant!” Father “I would like to suggest this course to all people starting a divorce, before it goes too far. It is important that they can do this before anything else.” Father In a full day course (9h00-16h00) the focus will be on some of the following:
Who will benefit from the course?
Cost: R800.00 per person, including course material, beverages and lunch. Date: Tuesday, 2 August 2011 Venue: SOMERSET WEST For enquiries or to register, send an e-mail to This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it Registration closes 29 July 2011 About the Presenter and the importance of Parent Education 2011 32.73 KbDr. Mathilda Smit is a social worker in private practice, Somerset West. During the 19 years of dealing with family matters she became aware that divorce, as an increasing global phenomenon, is destructive for the people involved, if not handled correctly. In her doctoral research Mathilda explored, developed and implemented a process of family mediation in accordance with the Children’s Act. Problems experienced due to divorce were identified and the goal was to address the best interests of the child by improving the co-parenting relationship, parent-child relationships and the quality of parenting. From this research it became clear that parents should be educated on what they can do to minimize the possible destructive effects of separation and divorce on their children and that the child should be included or heard in mediation in order for child sensitive agreements to be reached. "Parenting practices can be taught. Changes in parenting practices account for commensurate changes in children's adjustment outcomes. Improving parenting practices may be the single most common and potent mechanism of change in family-based treatments" (Diamond & Diamond, 2002:54). "Divorcing parents are handicapped by ignorance and the pressures of circumstance and thus have a right to the best information we can offer and the opportunity to carefully think through every alternative" (Wallerstein, 1991a:456). In two separate workshops that she conducts countrywide Mathilda addresses parent education and trains colleagues from the mental health professions in methods and techniques to hear the voice of the child in an age appropiate manner. Her professional services include, amongst others, mediation, facilitation, supervision to colleagues, parental guidance to parents to improve their parenting skills and obtaining the voice of the child in mediation. Bookmark this article:          |
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