According to Divorce Magazine 49% of American marriages end in divorce. When a marriage ends in divorce, children often suffer the most. Behavioural changes are common among children who witness the break-up of their parent’s marriage. The effects of divorce on children have been widely studied. Divorce tends to affect children negatively. Parents wishing to ease their children through the divorce process are advised to attending counselling, workshops or classes of some kind. Various online parenting classes are available and provide useful advice to the divorced or soon-to-be divorced parent.

Between Two Worlds – Online Parenting Classes Establishing The Link

Elizabeth Marquardt conducted a study of children of divorce entitled ‘Between Two Worlds: The Inner Lives of Children of Divorce’. Marquardt studied adult children of divorce who remain in touch with both parents. According to Marquardt’s study, children of divorce are three times as likely to be expelled from school or to become pregnant as teenagers compared to those from intact parents. Children of divorce are also five times as likely to live in poverty. ‘Between Two Worlds’ claims that divorce creates ‘endless and often painful complications for a child.’

Parents’ Behaviour Impacts Children

Studies by Diana Baumrind confirm the relationship between parents’ behaviour and that of their children. In one study, children were divided into three groups according to their behavioural characteristics. Children in Group 1 were identified as self-reliant, self-controlled, explorative and content. Children in Group 2 were described as discontent, withdrawn and distrustful. Those in Group 3 possessed little self-control or self-reliance and commonly shied away from new experiences.

When examining the parents of the children categorised above, the researchers identified certain qualities in the parents which accompanied certain characteristics identified in the children. While variations and irregularities occurred a general trend emerged. Typically, parents of children in Group 1 were firm, loving, demanding and understanding. The parents of children in Group 2 were firm, punitive and unaffectionate, while parents of children in Group 3 lacked control and were moderately loving. According to Baumrind’s study, parents who are loving-but-firm raise children who are independent, self-controlled, adventurous and content. Online parenting class provides invaluable advice to parents who wish to raise independent, self-controlled, adventurous and happy children. Conscientious parents who participate in online parenting class learn parenting skills and behavioural techniques that help them guide their children through their parent’s divorce. In this case, the responsibility falls on the parents to attend divorce parenting class in order to resolve conflict between the adult parties. While children are unlikely to walk away from a divorce unscathed, parents can dramatically reduce the trauma children experience. One of the most proactive steps parents can take is to educate themselves. By learning about the process they and their children are going through, by means of an online parenting class, they can begin the vital healing process for the benefit of their children.

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