When a couple with children goes through a divorce, there are many more considerations than just dividing up money and property. Once other human beings are involved, things automatically become more complicated. Therefore, the court system requires a parenting plan from the divorcing couple that is for the best interest of the child or children. It refers to a document required by the court that specifies a detailed plan intended to serve as a guide for parents to spell out schedules and responsibilities of each parent relating to the upbringing of their children. The purpose is to avoid conflict in the future and assure proper care of their children. It must be created by both parents with a mediator or their attorney.

This written agreement sets out rules and structures for the ongoing care of the children. It caters to and takes into consideration the development and cultural needs of the child. It establishes a relationship pattern for parents and their children like how time with the kids will be alternated between parents. Decisions in terms of authority, discipline, responsibilities and rules, and how they will get to resolve other parental issues for care of their children are also stated. For example, some of the things considered when creating a parenting plan include where and with whom the children will spend their holidays. Other topics include religious and educational matters.

Coming up with this plan is very useful and important because decisions concerning children are not meant simply to be a matter of giving custody to one of the parents and then assuming that all will be well. After divorce, life goes on and most likely the lives of the parents will dramatically change. New spouses can come into the picture, step-siblings, etc. and it’s important that these changes do not dramatically alter how the children of divorce are cared for. This is why it is very necessary for divorcing parents to agree on and make plans in writing as to how the children will be raised.

This agreement goes a long way in improving and maintaining a co-parenting relationship. The structure of a written plan and knowledge that a neutral, authoritative party like the court system has mandated it, makes the children feel less afraid and more secure in how their future will play out. You will agree that children tend to do better when their parents cooperate which is why this documentation is necessary as it keeps parental conflict to a minimum making the children able to experience meaningful and loving relationships with both parents. Also, children are at a high risk of serious long term emotional problems when they are exposed to ongoing conflict between their parents.

Parents can decide to do this on their own or may want to employ the service of legal professional or an attorney. There is also software that can help you easily create one. Another tool which will most likely be mandated by the court during the divorce process, is to take a co-parenting course. You can easily take online parenting classes that will help teach parents how to develop a parenting plan that suits your family arrangement for effective co-parenting. Classes also teach effective communication and parenting skills for raising stable, healthy and responsible children. Parents are advised on how to deal with issues regarding their children in divorce situations and how to help their children adjust in a healthy way to living apart from a parent.

Showing love and building your child’s self-esteem early in life is the foundation of long-term success. Your child can be a genius, but if he doesn’t have the confidence in himself to realize this, it can hinder him from excelling in school, getting new jobs or trying new things. Of course, we don’t want to simply shower our kids in compliments, especially if it’s not earned. A good approach is to not only compliment your child’s successes, but to compliment his efforts along the way. This will help build both his confidence and determination.

1) Be real in your compliments – don’t go over the top with comments like, “You re the best child in the whole world” or “nobody is cuter than you are!” Make sure your praise is specific to a situation and credible.

2) Compliment following directions – give your child praise when he listens to your requests. Don’t fall into the trap of reprimanding for disobedience, instead tell him how happy you are that he followed your directions.

3) Compliment efforts rather than results – tell your child what a great job he did passing the ball to other players during the soccer game, instead of focusing on the end score. Or, how impressive his focus and determination was in writing a paper, rather than just praising the final grade.

4) Praise examples of good character – offer a compliment when he has been honest about something he knows he shouldn’t have done, or when he has been kind to his sister, or when he has been responsible and chosen to finish homework rather than play Xbox.

5) Praise your child, in front of your child – this is not to brag, but to reinforce good behavior. Talk positively about your child to other’s in the family like grandparents, Aunts and Uncles. This will encourage him to continue on this path.

6) Compliment choices they make – tell him that you are impressed with his choice of friends, his choice in clothing, or his choice in the book he’s reading.

Rewarding your children with love and praise gives them a strong sense of self-worth and confidence. As long as the praise is given appropriately, it reinforces specific good behavior and the child is left feeling the warmth of parental approval.

Parents in search of more advice and skills for raising healthy, well-balanced children should take online parenting classes designed by a qualified, licensed family therapist. They are available at the touch of a button on any web-based computer. They’re great because you can log-in and out whenever you have the time, nothing needs to be printed out, and you can learn a wealth of parenting information. Courses include information on how to handle the different stages of childhood, from infancy on. Topics include enhancing your child’s development, creating and maintaining a strong communicative relationship through the teen years and how to manage stress. Classes are inexpensive and are a great tool to enhance parenting skills if you are a first-time parent, or are deeply years into raising a large family.

Showing love and building your child’s self-esteem early in life is the foundation of long-term success. Your child can be a genius, but if they don’t have the confidence in themselves to realize this, it can hinder them from excelling in school, getting new jobs or trying new things. Of course, we don’t want to simply shower our kids in compliments, especially if it’s not earned. A good approach is to not only compliment your child’s successes, but to compliment his efforts along the way. This will help build both his confidence and determination.

1) Be real in your compliments – don’t go over the top with comments like, “You are the best child in the whole world” or “no one is cuter than you are!” Make sure your praise is specific to a situation and credible.

2) Compliment following directions – give your child praise when he listens to your requests. Don’t fall into the trap of reprimanding for disobedience, instead tell him how happy you are that he followed your directions.

3) Compliment efforts rather than results – tell your child what a great job he did passing the ball to other players during the soccer game, instead of focusing on the end score. Or, how impressive his focus and determination was in writing a paper, rather than just praising the final grade.

4) Praise examples of good character – offer a compliment when he has been honest about something he knows he shouldn’t have done, or when he has been kind to his sister, or when he has been responsible and chosen to finish homework rather than play Xbox.

5) Praise your child, in front of your child – this is not to brag, but to reinforce good behavior. Talk positively about your child to other’s in the family like grandparents, Aunts and Uncles. This will encourage him to continue on this path.

6) Compliment choices they make – tell him that you are impressed with his choice of friends, his choice in clothing, or his choice in the book he’s reading.

Rewarding your children with love and praise gives them a strong sense of self-worth and confidence. As long as the praise is given appropriately, it reinforces specific good behavior and the child is left feeling the warmth of parental approval.

Parents in search of more advice and skills for raising healthy, well-balanced children should take online parenting classes designed by a qualified, licensed family therapist. They are available at the touch of a button on any web-based computer. They’re great because you can log-in and out whenever you have the time, nothing needs to be printed out, and you can learn a wealth of parenting information. Courses include information on how to handle the different stages of childhood, from infancy on. Topics include enhancing your child’s development, creating and maintaining a strong communicative relationship through the teen years and how to manage stress. Classes are inexpensive and are a great tool to enhance parenting skills if you are a first-time parent, or are deeply years into raising a large family.

Showing love and building your child’s self-esteem early in life is the foundation of long-term success. Your child can be a genius, but if he doesn’t have the confidence in himself to realize this, it can hinder him from excelling in school, getting new jobs or trying new things. Of course, we don’t want to simply shower our kids in compliments, especially if it’s not earned. A good approach is to not only compliment your child’s successes, but to compliment his efforts along the way. This will help build both his confidence and determination.

1) Be real in your compliments – don’t go over the top with comments like, “You re the best child in the whole world” or “nobody is cuter than you are!” Make sure your praise is specific to a situation and credible.

2) Compliment following directions – give your child praise when he listens to your requests. Don’t fall into the trap of reprimanding for disobedience, instead tell him how happy you are that he followed your directions.

3) Compliment efforts rather than results – tell your child what a great job he did passing the ball to other players during the soccer game, instead of focusing on the end score. Or, how impressive his focus and determination was in writing a paper, rather than just praising the final grade.

4) Praise examples of good character – offer a compliment when he has been honest about something he knows he shouldn’t have done, or when he has been kind to his sister, or when he has been responsible and chosen to finish homework rather than play Xbox.

5) Praise your child, in front of your child – this is not to brag, but to reinforce good behavior. Talk positively about your child to other’s in the family like grandparents, Aunts and Uncles. This will encourage him to continue on this path.

6) Compliment choices they make – tell him that you are impressed with his choice of friends, his choice in clothing, or his choice in the book he’s reading.

Rewarding your children with love and praise gives them a strong sense of self-worth and confidence. As long as the praise is given appropriately, it reinforces specific good behavior and the child is left feeling the warmth of parental approval.

Parents in search of more advice and skills for raising healthy, well-balanced children should take online parenting classes designed by a qualified, licensed family therapist. They are available at the touch of a button on any web-based computer. They’re great because you can log-in and out whenever you have the time, nothing needs to be printed out, and you can learn a wealth of parenting information. Courses include information on how to handle the different stages of childhood, from infancy on. Topics include enhancing your child’s development, creating and maintaining a strong communicative relationship through the teen years and how to manage stress. Classes are inexpensive and are a great tool to enhance parenting skills if you are a first-time parent, or are deeply years into raising a large family.

According to the Holmes and Rahe Stress Scale, divorce is considered the second most stressful life event, right after death of a spouse. Divorces are difficult for all parties, especially if there are children involved. Bitter disputes can lead to bad parenting. Family courts will often require divorcing parents to attend parenting classes as part of the custody agreement. This is done to guide families through the trauma of divorce, and protect the children as much as possible.

Children find divorce an extremely difficult process, and parents caught up in their own negative and unhappy emotions may find it difficult to parent effectively during this time. Child and Family services has found that it is beneficial for parents to attend parenting classes to help ease the transition into the new way of life for their children. This process makes sure that the children's needs are met, and hopefully it will lessen the stress and trauma to the children.

Parenting classes ordered by the court teach more than just good parenting skills, they also teach parents to communicate effectively and avoid arguments that can upset all parties involved. They help parents cope with new custody arrangements, help with grandparenting issues, and even help parents cope with facing holidays without their children, if that is an issue.

Most importantly, the classes teach parents to communicate effectively without fighting. Improved relationships between divorcing spouse’s helps the children develop healthy coping habits and can help build their sense of security at a very unsure time. Most parents that attend parenting classes feel that they are a great benefit not only for the children, but for the parents as well. Having guidance with tricky co-parenting issues helps parents make the best choices for their children.

At one time, parenting classes could only be attended in person, at designated places and times. This meant that many parents struggled to fit these classes into their busy schedules, and on top of dealing with a divorce they faced the stress of making it to the classes as ordered. Today, parents required to take these classes have another option in taking the courses online.

Online parenting classes are now available to help divorcing parents meet requirements ordered by the courts. Online classes are available anytime, day or night, and are the most convenient option for parents trying to balance their new lives and responsibilities. The classes are self-paced, with parents reading through a lesson and taking quizzes on the subjects taught. Their answers are checked and a completion certificate is issued once the classes have been successfully finished.

Many parents want to take online parenting classes as part of a custody agreement to fulfill court requirements, and many courts are happy to accept these classes as an alternative to traditional ones. The convenience of these classes means parents have more time to focus on helping their children settle into their new lives after divorce. If you find yourself going through a divorce and are required to take parenting classes, consider the most convenient option and take your classes online. It will save you time and possibly money, since you won't have to drive anywhere. More than that, it will give you more time to focus on the well being of your children during the divorce process.