Navigating separation is tough, especially when children are involved. Thankfully, there are several online courses designed to support parents as they work through these challenges. Here’s a look at some of the most effective courses available to help parents develop better co-parenting skills, manage conflicts, and prioritise the well-being of their children.
1. New Ways for Families
The New Ways for Families program focuses on reducing conflict and improving communication between separated parents. This course provides valuable tools for effective co-parenting and conflict management. With its flexible, online format, you can complete the course at your own pace.
- Cost: Approximately $95
- Format: Online, self-paced with interactive sessions
- Certification: Certificate issued upon passing the final exam, useful for court requirements
- Support: Some providers offer financial assistance or discounted programs for low-income families
For more details and enrollment options, visit platforms like Online Parenting Programs or Putting Kids First.
2. Better Relationships
The Better Relationships program is tailored to strengthen family dynamics and enhance emotional resilience. The course is structured with interactive modules that help parents improve their communication skills and build a healthy co-parenting environment.
- Cost: Ranges from $95 to $195, based on course length and depth
- Features: Includes a toolkit of practical exercises and downloadable resources, with guidance from professionals through live discussions and forums
- Certification: Certificate of completion, useful for family court proceedings
Visit the Better Relationships website for more details on specific programs and payment options, especially if you’re looking for family law-related support.
3. Parenting After Separation (PAS)
The Parenting After Separation (PAS) course is designed for parents adjusting to separation or divorce, with a strong focus on the children’s well-being. This free course covers everything from understanding children’s emotional responses to separation to creating effective parenting plans.
- Cost: Free
- Duration: 3 to 4 hours, divided into four sections
- Topics: Co-parenting strategies, children’s coping mechanisms, legal processes, and parenting plans
- High-Conflict Option: An additional course, PAS for Families in High Conflict (PASHC), focuses on managing emotions, setting boundaries, and protecting children from conflict.
Certificates are available for both courses, which can be important for family law requirements. For more information, visit government or family support service websites offering PAS programs.
4. Up to Parents
The Up to Parents program is a free, online course that emphasizes a child-centered approach to co-parenting. It’s ideal for parents seeking to prioritize their children’s needs and minimize conflict during separation.
- Cost: Free
- Features: Includes interactive worksheets and tools for communication, co-parenting strategies, and resources on legal rights and responsibilities
- Topics: Covers children’s emotional responses to divorce, conflict management, and consistent parenting approaches
- Flexibility: Self-paced, making it accessible for busy parents with no time restrictions
For more information and to get started, visit the Up to Parents website.
5. Parents Not Partners
The Parents Not Partners program, offered by Interrelate, is a six-week course specifically designed to help separated parents establish healthy co-parenting relationships. It focuses on building communication skills, managing emotions, and setting clear boundaries, all with the child’s well-being as the top priority.
Key Aspects:
- Course Structure: The program consists of weekly group sessions led by an experienced counsellor, with a strong emphasis on separating personal conflicts from parenting duties.
- Target Audience: This course is ideal for separated parents who are navigating co-parenting challenges, particularly those in family law or mediation processes.
- Learning Outcomes: Participants will learn how to handle disagreements, communicate effectively, and maintain a safe space for their children, ensuring their needs are prioritized throughout the separation.
Additional Details:
- Cost: The course fee is $150, with concession options available.
- Format: It is offered both in-person and online, depending on the participant’s preference.
- Benefits: By the end of the program, parents gain skills to reduce family stress, improve co-parenting dynamics, and foster a stable environment for their children.
For more information, you can visit Interrelate’s Parents Not Partners page
Each of these programs offers valuable insights and tools to help parents navigate the complexities of co-parenting after separation. If you’re facing this challenging time, exploring these courses can be an important step toward building a supportive environment for your children.
Need Additional Support?
Coastal Lawyers can provide you with further resources and legal guidance tailored to your family’s unique situation. Contact us to learn more about how we can support you through separation and beyond.
Written by Coastal Lawyers- Central Coast Family Lawyers
Coastal Lawyers are family lawyers based in Erina, on the Central Coast.
Coastal Lawyers assist family law clients in parenting, property, mediation, dispute resolution, and litigation. We offer the legal advice you expect from a lawyer, along with the emotional support you might not expect.
We are passionate about assisting our clients achieve amicable separations without the need for court intervention through the process of legally assisted mediation.
Our team also frequently appears at the Newcastle Federal Circuit and Family Court of Australia (Newcastle FCFCOA), the Parramatta Federal Circuit and Family Court of Australia (Parramatta FCFCOA), and the Sydney Federal Circuit and Family Court of Australia (Sydney FCFCOA) to represent our clients in more intricate family law matters. This encompasses issues related to family violence, unacceptable risk of harm to children, relocation applications, recovery orders and complex property settlements.
Coastal Lawyers offer a 1 hour Strategy Session for all new family law enquiries at a reduced hourly rate.