HBO's "Don't Divorce Me! Rules for Parents on Divorce"

Divorcing parents lose sleep agonizing over how to guide their children through the complicated emotions and life changes that come alongside divorce. While divorce is tough on kids, forty percent of American children experience the divorce of their parents and parents contemplating a split don't have to look far for guidance.

There are a wealth of resources available to co-parents (including helpful therapeutic ones), but tools that help parents understand divorce from the eyes of children themselves can be particularly helpful. As adults, we do our best to shelter children from conflict (as we should), but children should be encouraged to voice their feelings and sometimes that means they have opinions to share.

HBO's documentary "Dont Divorce Me! Kids' Rules for Parents on Divorce" interviews children of divorce between the ages of five to ten years old. These children share their tips for divorcing parents such as, "try to make sure that your kids get both parents kind of equally" and "don't use kids as a messenger".

“When thinking about divorce, a child’s perspective can often be left out of the equation,” notes executive producer Rosie O’Donnell. “This film puts these kids front and center, advocating on their behalf. DON’T DIVORCE ME! will help remind parents and children alike that at the end of the day, we must respect and listen to one another.”

You can watch "Dont Divorce Me! Kids' Rules for Parents on Divorce" and find out more HERE.

Little Children, Big Challenges: The Sesame Street Guide

Divorce is one of the most common challenges children face - 40% of American children experience the divorce of their parents. But breaking the news of a divorce to kids is tough - many of my clients seek guidance on the healthiest way to transition their children to life in two households. While parenting and family therapists can provide invaluable guidance during divorce, unfortunately not everyone can afford therapy on top of all the other costs associated with the divorce process. This is where Sesame Street comes in. 

Sesame Street understands how to talk to kids, even about the tough stuff. Little Children, Big Challenges is a series of online resources Sesame Street has created to help parents talk to their kids about some of life's biggest challenges.  Little People, Big Challenges: Divorce offers a host of resources for divorcing parents: an e-book to read aloud to your kids,  simple downloadable tips for you and your extended family, and activities like a divorce coloring book. There are even a series of videos kids can watch incorporating songs about divorce. 

As Sesame Street emphasizes, kids want to know that they are loved by both parents, that divorce is not their fault, and that they'll still have a family after divorce. 

Family Centered Law & Mediation is curating a list of resources for parents guiding their family through the divorce process, which will be featured HERE.