When families experience separation or divorce, it often creates a whirlwind of emotions and adjustments, particularly for children who may find themselves shuttling between two homes. In these situations, finding the right resources to support kids through such transitions becomes crucial. One valuable tool that I use that is designed for this purpose is the “Our Family in Two Homes” workbook. This insightful workbook aims to help children understand and manage their feelings during this time of change, and today, we’ll explore why it’s a vital resource that I use for families.
Understanding “Our Family in Two Homes”
Created by Jacinta Gallant, a Canadian collaborative family law attorney and mediator, the “Our Family in Two Homes” workbook is specifically tailored to support parents who are navigating the complex emotions associated with separation and divorce. The workbook is designed with a child-centric focus, incorporating engaging activities and prompts to make the process of decision making as smooth as possible.
Key Features and Benefits
- Hopes, Goals, and Values: One of the core aspects of the workbook is its focus on helping parents identify their hopes and goals for the divorce process and co-parenting relationship, the communication conflicts that have created obstacles to resolution, and the values that impact their decision making. It provides various exercises that encourage each parent to express their emotions in a safe and structured way. This workbook inspires curiosity and self-discovery through engaging exercises and questions.
- Resource: The workbook helps parents make sense of their family situation. Through illustrations and simple explanations, it answers common questions and concerns that parents have regarding custody, parent-time, spousal support, and property division.
- Resilience Building: Adjusting to life in two homes can be challenging, but the workbook includes activities that build resilience and coping skills. By focusing on strategies for managing emotions and adapting to new routines, it empowers parents to handle transitions with greater ease.
- Positive Reinforcement: It emphasizes the positive aspects of living in two homes and helps parents create parenting plans that address their unique situation and new family arrangement. This positive reinforcement can be crucial in shifting a parent’s perspective and reducing feelings of fear or confusion. With the insight that comes in completing the workbook, couples can learn better communication skills that can improve their coparenting relationship.
Final Thoughts
Adjusting to life with two homes is undoubtedly a complex journey for parents and their children, but resources like “Our Family in Two Homes” workbook offer invaluable support. By providing my clients with tools to express their emotions, understand their new family dynamics, and build resilience, this workbook helps ease the transition and foster a positive outlook for my client’s new family arrangement.
My clients feel more empowered through the divorce or separation process having completed the exercises in “Our Family in Two Homes.” This resource is a total game changer – my clients who decided to use it loved it.
I do get it, that “Workbook” might trigger some school memories, but rest assured there is no wrong when you are working with it. It is intuitive. It will help you and your family embark on this transition. Plus, you have myself and my team guiding you along the way with all our experiences and competencies.
Contact me at (801)464-4004 for more information.