{3 minutes to read} When hearing about parenting classes, divorcing parents sometimes wonder: “Why would I need this class? My husband and I don’t need to be told how to raise our children.” The goal of parenting classes, however, is not to tell people how to raise their children, but to help them face the new, unfamiliar challenges presented by separation or divorce.
FamilyKind, a nonprofit organization, offers NYS Certified Parent Education Classes to such couples. Classes are optional, or in some cases may be court ordered. I met with Shari Bornstein, Director of Parent Services, to find out more about this program.
Why do you recommend parenting classes to separating or divorcing parents?
FamilyKind recommends that parents attend a class to support their children through the most challenging time in their lives. Parents benefit by learning to communicate more effectively with their children and their co-parent. Parents also learn how their children experience this family transition, and how they can become the best co-parent they can be, even if the other parent does not participate in a class.
Do parents attend them together ?
The rules of the certification do not permit parents to take the class together. One parent can take a class in Manhattan one month, and the other parent can take it the following month. Another option is for one parent to take a class in Manhattan and the other parent in Brooklyn. Both parents will receive the same information.
How many classes do parents need to take?
Parents attend a one-time 4½ hour class. They will receive a certificate at the conclusion of the class which they can provide to their attorney, or to a judge in cases where class participation has been court ordered.
Where are these classes being offered?
FamilyKind presently offers classes in Manhattan, Brooklyn, the Bronx and Westchester. A Suffolk County schedule will be announced shortly.
Are they approved by the NY State Courts?
FamilyKind is a certified provider of the NYS Parent Education class. If a judge in another state orders a participant to take a class and the participant lives in NY, the FamilyKind class will satisfy this requirement.
For additional information or to register for classes, call 646-580-4735 or email info@familykind.org
Jennifer Safian
divorce and family mediation
upper east side of manhattan (nyc)
new york, ny
(917) 881 5206
jpsafian@gmail.com
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