Sesame Street Helps Divorcing Parents Help Their Kids

By Nottage and Ward on December 28, 2012

According to a Huffington Post article, more than six million U.S. children were living with divorced parents in 2011. This number is very significant despite the overall decline in the divorce rate. Every year, approximately one million children experience divorce, and one million children may need extra help to get through it.

Scientific study on the effects of divorce on children has shown that children of divorce experience a higher risk of experiencing mental health issues, issues getting along with peers, and school problems, but because these risks are widely known, parents and other adults are in a unique position to help. As support for divorcing parents who want to help their children and children going through divorce, Sesame Workshop, the non-profit organization that operates Sesame Street, has developed a new program with basic ideas and strategies to help divorcing parents and children of divorce cope with the changes they are dealing with. This program is called “Little Children Big Challenges: Divorce.” It provides activities online and offline for parents to talk to their kids and address the various challenges and emotions of divorce.

One of the ideas communicated through this program is how children do better when their divorced parents reduce the level of fighting and conflict between them. Children’s adjustment is significantly improved when their parents are “co-parents” and don’t just fight all the time. Other ideas include how it is important for both mothers and fathers to have roles in the lives of their children Additionally, parents must take care of themselves so that they are in the correct mindset to take care of their children. Parents who are stressed or distracted can create disruption in the lives of their kids.

While every family is different, it is important to recognize that how parents treat their kids, themselves, and each other has a significant impact on how their kids adjust during and after divorce, and it all starts with the child custody agreement.

Every parent wants the best for their children, but divorcing parents also need to make sure that they obtain a child custody arrangement that is best for their family. If you are planning to divorce and have kids, the dedicated family law attorneys in Chicago at Nottage and Ward can help you protect your child’s best interests. To learn more, call us for a consultation at (312) 332-2915.