Those who do have children born of their marriage will find that the family law courts require the parents to take parenting classes for divorce before their divorce is granted by the judge.
Why has this parenting classes for divorce condition been implemented by the California judicial system for spouses who have minor children?
Because children are such a precious commodity, the family law courts do all they can to protect them from the divorce situation.
One of the ways this purpose is achieved is by informing the parents of the consequences their children are about to suffer as a result of the impending divorce case, an education that is given through court ordered parenting classes for divorce the two adults must take before the judge will even consider finalizing the marital dissolution.
To illustrate the severity of the issue, under penalty of perjury and therefore the risk of going to jail if caught lying, the divorcing spouses must sign a document swearing that they have enrolled in and completed the parenting classes for divorce.
What are some of the issues covered in typical parenting classes for divorce curriculum?
Parental alienation is one of the main topics dealt with in the parenting classes for divorce classroom setting.
One of the biggest offenses committed by the adult parties, parental alienation occurs when one or both parents make negative remarks about the other parent in the presence of the children. Done in an effort to influence their feelings, this is a parenting classes for divorce issue that carries along with it dire consequences for the children.
When exposed to this type of environment the minor children are more likely to turn against one parent, seek out attention from peers belonging to the wrong kind of crowd, experiment with drugs and alcohol, and contribute to the current teen pregnancy rate.
Due to the seriousness of its occurrence, much time is thus dedicated in parenting classes for divorce to teaching the father and mother how to avoid being caught in the alienation trap into which it is so easy for them to fall.
This is usually done by showing the parents effective conflict management techniques so they can remain on neutral terms for the sake of their kids. In addition, parenting classes for divorce lectures put great emphasis on how important it is for the children to have strong bonds with both parents regardless of a divorce in the family.
Parenting classes for divorce additionally include detailing the effects of divorce on children, how to identify the emotions and behaviors that indicate the children are experiencing stress, and what constitutes child abuse and neglect on the part of a parent once the divorce is final.
In what other ways do parenting classes for divorce benefit the splitting family?
Educating parents on the importance of placing the needs of the minor children before anyone or anything else is a matter that is heavily focused upon during class. As such, the parents are given instruction on why they need to put the children's needs first, and they are also taught exactly how to do so successfully.
Making the transition from living in one home to going back and forth between two different residences can be a cause of anxiety for the children. Thus, parents can expect to receive helpful tips and pointers in class regarding how to manage this situation in order to keep the peace within the family.
What are the two parents taught to do to create as seamless a transition as possible?
For starters, they are shown the skills they need to use to work on their own relationship post-divorce so they can avoid the unwanted effect of the children acting out after witnessing their parents continuously butting heads.
Ex-spouses can also expect that communication methods will be heavily focused upon, as those individuals who were once married and can still talk to one another without underlying tensions have a much better chance at solving their issues without a fight getting in the way.
The ability to accept responsibility for one's own actions is an additional key factor in staying away from spousal conflict - as the source of many fights is one party placing blame on the other for something that is not that person's fault. Therefore, learning to deal with this particular situation is also on the parenting classes for divorce agenda.
And because finances are one of the main sources of arguments between couples, married or divorced, spouses will come away from their parenting classes for divorce with a clear cut understanding of the financial obligations of each parent.
Finally, the parenting classes for divorce agenda includes providing information to the spouses about resources in their community, such as the phone numbers of the various family law facilitator's offices within their county.
No matter the reasons behind the family court's requirement to take parenting classes for divorce, there is a wealth of knowledge to be gained and a better chance at peace all around as a result.
Sometimes all it takes to get through the divorce process is to know that there is a person who is on your side to help you from start to finish - a person who can answer your questions and even guide you when it comes to filing your marital dissolution documents with the local family law court.
http://www.prepyourdivorce.com