DOWNLOAD 2008 FAMILIES FIRST REGISTRATION FORM HERE!

**Please note that the Families First seminar is held at EAST DALLAS CHRISTIAN CHURCH, 620 N. Peak Street, in Dallas.**

Divorce ends a marriage, not a family. Do you worry about how your children are coping with the divorce and all the changes they are facing? Do you need information on how divorce may affect your child's behavior?  How can parents make this transition easier for their children?  Families First will help you find the answers to these questions and more. 

Families First is a nationally recognized program for divorcing parents, which provides in-depth, innovative techniques for successfully moving through the transition of separation and divorce.

This four-hour seminar educates and impresses upon parents the critical role they play in their child’s ability to adjust to the changes surrounding divorce. The seminar emphasizes each parent’s responsibility to form a post divorce co-parenting relationship that will provide a nurturing environment for the child. Families First stresses that parents must do what is in the best interest of their child, keeping focused on positive parenting during and after a divorce.

At Families First, trained master’s level instructors acquaint parents with the emotional upheaval divorce can bring upon their children. The class focuses on the various dimensions of divorce and its effects on children, as well as discussing how children react differently to divorce depending on their age. When divorce occurs, parents are often so caught up in their own turmoil that parenting stops.

Families First intervenes, teaching and helping parents find their way to their new family structure.

Families First also offers groups for children. While the parents are attending their workshop the children attend their support group according to their age. The children’s groups are small groups consisting of 5 to 8 children. Trained facilitators lead the groups in which children gain effective communication tools to help them understand and navigate the often stormy and difficult emotions they may have. Through the use of fun activities such as coloring, cutting and pasting, storybooks and other age appropriate activities the issues of change, the fact they are not to blame for the divorce, and the child’s feelings about these changes are addressed.

The children explore and learn appropriate ways to expression of emotions, especially anger. The sessions end by discussing coping skills that the child can rely on during this difficult time.

The teen group addresses these same issues also including the stages of grief and coping skills. Snacks and play breaks are provided.

 2008 Class Schedule: