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.