An Educational Program of University of Wisconsin-Extension
Overview of UW-Extension Co-parenting Programming
Where Do I Start? is a manual for how and why to do the program.
1. Overview, recommended first steps.
2. Introduction to the topic.
3. Nuts and bolts of designing your program and getting it up-and-running.
Common Ties Newsletters
Newsletters for families parenting apart, updated for use with the program.
Starting Over: It’s not easy, but you can move forward. Celebrate each step you take.
Take-aways from this newsletter:
- Model healthy self-care.
- Promote a positive relationship with the other parent.
- Recognize that children grieve.
- Communicate with the other parent in a business- like manner
- See difficult times as manageable times of family growth.
Positive Conflict Management: Keep your child in mind and find a healthy way to resolve conflict.
Take-aways from this newsletter:
- Conflict between co-parents hurt children. It’s worth the effort to reduce the arguments with your co-parent.
- Using “I” Statements help you communicate with less arguing.
- It’s important to really listen to the other parent’s point of view.
- Children are watching you solve problems.
- Children can learn healthy ways to solve their own problems.
- Resilient families share emotions
Healthy Co-Parenting: One of the most helpful things parents can do for their child’s well-being is to put away their anger and cooperate in parenting.
Take-aways from this newsletter:
- Parents who cooperate reduce stress and pressure on their children and themselves.
- Creating a written parenting plan now helps reduce conflict in the future.
- Keeping your children’s needs in mind helps build a better future for all of you.
- Being flexible makes it easier for everyone to cope.
- Children don’t see the two of you together for very many minutes. Striving to make that time peaceful is a special gift that you can give to your children.
