Can I do anything to help my kids cope with separation from their mother/father?

Having parents separate can be a confusing and painful process for children. Relationships Australia offers a number of services to help you and your children cope better with separation.

Counselling

Counselling can help people who are separating/getting divorced deal with their grief and anger and to let go, so that they can move on with a new sense of purpose and optimism. This includes looking at:

• how relationships change
• how to bear with and manage the grief
• what is the real value of anger
• what real acceptance is and how it impacts on our lives
  
• discovering a pathway for your separation
• learning to be "single"
• being able to face moving on to a new and sustaining relationship.
  

To book a counselling session, phone us on 1300 364 277 or contact the Relationships Australia office nearest you:

Canberra and Region | New South Wales | Northern Territory | Queensland

South Australia | Tasmania | Victoria | Western Australia

Family Dispute Resolution

Family dispute resolution can help you make practical arrangements and decisions in your separation, especially around property settlements and the care of children.

Family Dispute Resolution Services

Separation Courses

If you need support and want to hear what other people do to cope with separation and divorce, a variety of Separation Courses are available.  Some courses concentrate particularly on children, to help them deal with their feelings and experiences when their parents separate.

To find out about the Separation Courses that are available in your state or territory, click on the links below. (Note: courses may be listed under the Life and Relationships, Post Separation or Family Skills - Parenting topics).

Canberra and Region | New South Wales | Northern Territory | Queensland

South Australia | Tasmania | Victoria | Western Australia

Support is available

• What about the Children? - an information booklet for parents to help their children cope with separation
• Quiz: What about the children?
• Booklet: Parenting Plan "Share the Care" - Collaborative Parenting Apart (pdf)
• Checklist: Parenting Plan (pdf)

• Family Separation: A Guide for Teens - advice for teens coping with separation, published by the Child Support Agency