Resources
If you are going through separation/divorce, or have children with an ex-partner, please read direct messages from children and young people about what parents can do to help them in your circumstances.
Here are some resources that you might find helpful, depending on the type of support you are looking for:
Tips for helping your children if you split up with your partner | Parent Club
Child Contact Centres: https://www.relationships-scotland.org.uk/child-contact
Family Mediation: https://www.relationships-scotland.org.uk/family-mediation
Relationship Counselling: https://www.relationships-scotland.org.uk/relationship-counselling
Young people and parents on mental health:
Courses and information on anxiety management, mental health and support with parenting on NHS Tayside (scot.nhs.uk)
Parents helpline, and resources on children and young people's mental health on Young Minds or for young people directly on Mental Health Support For Young People | YoungMinds
Resources for parents with child's self-harm, understanding their child's mental health on SAMH, or for young people direct resources on samh.org.uk/get-involved/going-to-be/information-help/children-and-young-people
Self-harm awareness guidance on NHS Borders
Links/resources for parents who are separating or have separated:
Your Parenting Plan - gov.scot (www.gov.scot) - this includes further resources for both parents and children
https://momsforsharedparenting.org
https://fnf.org.uk/ (Families Need Fathers - because both parents matter)
http://www.singleparentssupport.org.uk/
www.theparentconnection.org.uk
www.sortingoutseparation.org.uk
www.cmoptions.org (Child Maintenance Options)
www.sclc.org.uk (Scottish Child Law Centre)
Books for Children:
It's Not Your Fault, Koko Bear by Vicki Lansky, 1998
This is a 'read together' book for parents and young children (3 to 7 years) during divorce that helps to explain words and feelings
The Huge Bag of Worries by Ironside and Rodgers, 2011
A popular story book for younger children about a little girl who finds she is carrying an ever growing 'bag of worries'. She finds there are lots of different ways of dealing with or sharing worries.
Two of Everything by Babette Cole, 2000
This is a 'funny' book for children, from 6 to 12 years, that tells the story of parents being 'unmarried'.
When Mom and Dad Separate by Marge Heegaard, 1991
A workbook for children (5 to 12 years) to work out their feelings about separation and divorce.
The Suitcase Kid by Jacqueline Wilson, 2006
This is a well told story about a girl and her rabbit adjusting to life being a kid with divorced parents. For ages 8 to teens.
It's an Aardvark eat Turtle World by Paula Danzinger, 2007
An entertaining read about two teenagers who were best friends and become sisters after their parents fall in love, for children 7 to 12 years.
Mom's House, Dad's House for Kids by lsolina Ricci, 2006
Designed for children 7 years and older, this book helps children to learn about how their family is changing and develop important life skills.
It's not the End of the World by Judy Blume, 2011
This is a story about divorce and its' impact on family life, from a teenage perspective. Written with insight, sensitivity and honesty for ages 7 to teens.
What in the World Do You Do When Your Parents Divorce?: A Survival Guide for Kids by Kent Winchester and Roberta Beyer, 2002
Written to and for kids, in a simple question-and-answer format, this book is a valuable tool for helping children cope with separation.
Dinosaur's Divorce by Marc Brown and Laurie Krasny Brown, 1988
For children aged 4 to 8 years, this book uses cartoon dinosaur characters to cover topics such as why parents divocre, what will happen to me, living in two homes.
Books for Parents:
Breaking Up without Falling Apart: The Essential Guide to Separation and Divorce in Scotland by Anne Hall Dick, 2011. Available on line at www.mhdlaw.co.uk/images/therightkindofdivorce.pdf
Getting Your Children Through Divorce: A Parent's Guide to Separation by Anne Hooper, 2005
Helping Children Cope with Divorce by Edward Teyber, 2001
How to Talk so Kids will Listen and Listen so Kids will Talk by Faber & Mazlish, 2001
Mom's House, Dad's House by lsolina Ricci, 1997
Parenting Apart: How Separated and Divorced Parents can raise Happy and Secure Kids by Christina McGhee, 2011
The Guide for Separated Parents: Putting Children First by Karen & Nick Woodall, 2009
The Truth about Children and Divorce by Robert Emery, 2006
Adult relationship difficulties
The Reward Foundation relating to sex and porn addiction and internet. https://www.rewardfoundation.org/
College of Sexual and Relationship Therapists https://www.cosrt.org.uk/
