In the video on the previous screen, you saw parents discuss their experiences with co-parenting. What do you think is the key difference between these parents’ experiences?

Once you are ready to answer, press the “Start Assignment” button.

Part of the art of co-parenting is to think about things from the other parent’s point of view.  Are you the residential parent? If so, it may be tempting to think that the challenges and responsibilities are all yours. But the non-residential parent has issues too.

And likewise, if you’re a non-residential parent, what do you think are the key challenges faced by your former spouse who now has residential responsibilities for your child/children?

Once you are ready to answer, press the “Start Assignment” button.

Now that you’ve been through the course, has your thinking changed in any way? If so, why do you think this is? What techniques or changes to your behavior do you need to make to benefit your child or children during this time of transition.

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Erin, age 7, has always been told that she’s “just like her father.” At a recent family reunion, Erin was standing next to a group of adults while mom explained the divorce to a relative. All Erin kept hearing was how her dad was an “irresponsible, lazy, mean, rude, inconsiderate deadbeat dad”.

Do you think this is effective co-parenting? How do you think this conversation might affect Erin?

Once you are ready to answer, press the “Start Assignment” button.

We’ll now present two stories through the eyes of the children involved. The first is about Tony, a teenager who’s just spent a weekend with his father.

Tony, aged 14, has just come back from a great weekend with his dad. They played miniature golf, laser tag and saw a movie at a brand new state-of-the-art 3D Imax theater. During their three days together, they also went to a pro football game, shopped for rollerblades and got some new computer games.

Do you think this is effective co-parenting? What do you think is the focus of this trip?

Once you are ready to answer, press the “Start Assignment” button.

4-year-old Natalie is having a difficult time accepting the arrival of her brother, Josh.  Every time her mom, Valerie, or step-dad, Maurice attempt to attend to Josh’s needs, regardless if its feeding, changing, or bathing him, Natalie tries to squeeze her way in between Josh and her parents while gesturing to them to pick her up. Valeria and Maurice are patient with Natalie and reassure her that once they are done responding to Josh’s needs, they will give her the time and attention that she needs.  They understand that Natalie was not used to sharing their attention with anyone else until Josh came along.

So what might this child be feeling?

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Julie, a 13-year-old girl was looking forward to dinner and a movie with her mother. While they were putting on their coats to leave, the doorbell rang.  A strange man walked into the house with Mom.  Mom nervously introduced Julie to “Mike” as her new boyfriend. Instead of shaking Mike’s hand, Julie turned to Mom and asked, why is he coming with us? 

Do you think this was an effective way for Mom to introduce Mike to Julie?

Once you are ready to answer, press the “Start Assignment” button.

A large percentage of parents will remarry. Some perhaps surprising statistics about second marriages are:

• Over 60% of second marriages eventually end in divorce
• When divorce occurs during a second marriage, it typically occurs within the first few years of chaotic adjustment

Why do you think this is?

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If you are recently separated, have you given yourself clear guidelines on new relationships and how they might affect your child/children? This assignment gives you the opportunity to think of guidelines that would be appropriate when introducing a new relationship to your children. Write one or two sentences describing appropriate ways to introduce a new relationship to your child. 

Once you are ready to answer, press the “Start Assignment” button.

“Josh, a 6-year-old boy, began crying when his father informed him that his mother would not be coming to visit today.  Josh did not understand what a “check” was and why his mother did not give his father a check so they could see each other.  He was looking forward to showing his mother the picture he drew of her.  He wished his father would just let his mother come to visit him anyway even if she did not have a “check”.”     

So what might this child be feeling?

Once you are ready to answer, press the “Start Assignment” button.