To understand how important it is to put your children first focusing on their needs please watch the video below.
During a separation of the family, whether the parents were ever married, children are undergoing a serious transition as to their regular daily life not to mention seeing the pain and hurt that their parents are experiencing. It is important and necessary to find a way through all of the pain you are experiencing to take a step back and focus on the heartache that your children are experiencing and do your best to minimize that for their sake.
Remember no matter what happens the children will always see themselves as one half of each of their parents and if they come to believe that one parent is “bad” they will see themselves as half “bad” - no child deserves this and no parent wants this no matter the issues between themselves.
For Parents
Families Change - Parent Guide - https://www.familieschange.ca.gov/en/parents/parent-guide
Building a Parenting Agreement That Works: Child Custody Agreements Step by Step by Mimi Lyster Zemmelman
Child Custody: Building Agreements That Work by Mimi E. Lyster
Co-parenting 101: Helping Your Kids Thrive in Two Households after Divorce by Deesha Philyaw & Michael D. Thomas
Death of a Relationship and the Beginning of the Rest of Your Life by Ismail Yassai, Ph.
Families Change: http://familieschange.ca.gov/
Mom's House, Dad's House by Isolina Ricci, Ph.D.
Parenting Apart: How Separated and Divorced Parents Can Raise Happy and Secure Kids by Christina McGhee
Putting Children First: Proven Strategies for Helping Children Thrive Through Divorce by: JoAnne Pedro-Carroll
Surviving Divorce: David Sbarra at TEDxTucson 2012 http://youtu.be/vg92QEL4w4I
The Impact of Divorce on Children: Tamara D. Afifi at TEDxUCSB http://youtu.be/cKcNyfXbQ
What's My Job?: Helping Children Navigate the Rough Waters of Separation and Divorce by: Mary R. Donahue, Ph.D. & Gail Thornburgh, Ph.D.
Children Ages 3-7
Families Change: http://familieschange.ca.gov/
Families Change - Kids guide ages 6-12: https://www.familieschange.ca.gov/en/kids
Books for Children
I Have Two Homes by Colleen Le Maire & Marina Saumell
It's Not Your Fault, Koko Bear by Vicki Lansky
Mom’s House, Dad’s House for Kids by Isolina Ricci, Ph.D.
My Mom and Dad Are Getting a Divorceby Florence Bienewfeld
Standing on My Own Two Feet: A Child's Affirmation of Love in the Midst of Divorceby Tamara Schmitz
Two Homes by Claire Masurel
Sesame Street: Toolkit Divorce - https://www.sesamestreet.org/toolkits/divorce (multiple videos)
Sesame Street - Coping with Divorce or Separation: Tips for Extended Family Members and Friends
Sesame Street - I am Loved Coloring Book Print-Up
Sesame Street - Two Hug Day
Children Ages 8-12
Families Change: http://familieschange.ca.gov/
Families Change - “Changeville” interactive web-based tool for children: https://www.familieschange.ca.gov/en/kids/changeville/#/helping-kids-with-parental-divorce-or-separation
Families Change - Kids guide ages 6-12: https://www.familieschange.ca.gov/en/kids
Kids Health: Marriage & Divorce http://kidshealth.org/kid/videos/talkabout-marriage.html
Books for Children
The Bright Side: Surviving Your Parents' Divorce by: Max Sindell
The D Word by: Julia Cook
The Divorce Express by Paula Danziger
When Your Parents’ Divorce: A kid to kid guide to dealing with divorce by Kimberly King
Divorce Is Not the End of the World: Zoe's and Evan's Coping Guide for Kids by Zoe Stern & Evan Stern
A Smart Girl’s Guide to Her Parent’s Divorce: How to Land on Your Feet When Your World Turns Upside Down by Nancy Holyoke
For Teens
Families Change: http://familieschange.ca.gov/
Families Change - “Changeville” interactive web-based tool for children: https://www.familieschange.ca.gov/en/kids/changeville/#/helping-kids-with-parental-divorce-or-separation
Families Change - Teen Guide: https://www.familieschange.ca.gov/en/teens
Books for Children
Now What Do I Do?: A Guide to Help Teenagers with Their Parents' Separation or Divorce by: Lynn Cassella-Kapusinski
The Big D: Divorce Thru the Eyes of a Teen Activity Guide by Krista Smith
The Step-Tween Survival Guide: How to Deal with Life in a Stepfamily by: Lisa Cohn & Debbie Glasser, Ph.D.