Family Court

Parenting through Separation is a free information programme to help you help your kids when you separate.

"I tried to do right for my kids but I just got lost in my own stuff."

The programme is delivered to small groups by an experienced facilitator. Other parents who are separated or are thinking of separating will be there with you.

"It's nice to be learning with others who are going through a similar experience."

The programme is four hours long, sometime split into two sessions and sometimes all on the same day.

The programme content has been written by leading professionals who specialise in helping families when parents have separated.

"The information was great, it helped me find the best possible solution for my children."

The information and tips in the programme are highly rated by parents who have already attended. The content covers:

• how separation affects children
• what children need during separation
• talking with children
• talking with ex-partners about arrangements for the children
• keeping children away from arguments
• how the Family Courts works

"Looking back I wasn't making good decisions for my kids...I needed some help."

The earlier in your separation you can get to a programme the better for you and your children. Remember you can go to a programme even if you are just thinking of separating. Even where parents have been separated for some time, they have still learnt things that make a positive difference.

"It's an excellent course, I wish I did it at the beginning of separation."

You will be given pamphlets to take home and two free DVDs - one for your children and one for you. The DVDs have in depth interviews with New Zealand parents and children who have experienced separation. The DVDs also have lots of helpful tips from a child psychologist and a counsellor.

View a copy of the Parenting Plan booklet that parents are given (PDF, 2.6Mb).

"I was reassured that I'm on the right track."

How do I get to a programme?

The programme is run in over 170 places around the country and in most areas there are one or two programmes running each month. All you need to do is ring up and book yourself in.

Because its best for ex-partners to attend the programmes separately we recommend telling the programme provider your ex-partner's name so they can make sure you're not at the same session.

Click here to see a list of providers and their contact details.

For more information about the programme you can read the Parenting through Separation pamphlet.

"It gives you such a good understanding of how your children think, and how you can make separation easier on them."