Two parents holding both of their daughters hands.

Parenting After Separation Seminar program

Learn how separation and related conflict can impact children, and gain information and strategies to help your children adjust through online learning and a facilitated group session.

The online learning section includes over 30 topics delivered in 3 parts as listed below. In parts 1 and 2, you are required to choose 7 topics in each part that meet your needs and situation (or more if you would like). All topics in part 3 must be completed before participating in the group sessions with an experienced facilitator.

1. Self-care & self-compassion

Topics include:

dealing with loss
practical self-compassion exercises
managing drug/alcohol challenges
mindfulness
self-care for transgender people
stories of resilience.

2. Post-separation parenting

Topics include:

focusing on children's needs
'Brief, Informative, Firm and Friendly' messages
business-type relationships
self-regulation exercises
new rules and boundaries for co-parenting
communication strategies.

3. Children

Topics include:

understanding children's needs
managing difficult behaviours and emotions
different parenting styles
how separation affects children's behaviour
an interview with 2 experienced child consultants.

Dates/times

This program runs regularly throughout the year.

Pricing

$150 (or $100 for health care card holders)

Location

Online

What's involved?

The program involves 4 steps.

1. Registration

Bookings are essential.

2. Online learning

After you register, we’ll send you instructions on how to access our online learning management system.

The online self-paced learning typically takes 8-9 hours to complete. It includes presentations, interviews, quizzes, reflection exercises and other learning modes designed to support parents to co-parent more effectively. You will also receive a workbook that will guide you through the program.

You’ll have access to the online content for 4 months from the date of purchase.

3. Group discussion

A brief assessment is completed before you participate in an online, 2-hour, small group discussion. You can book this discussion through the learning management system.

We run weekly morning and lunchtime group discussions regularly between February and mid-December.

Please note: We do not offer evening or weekend sessions.

Sessions fill up quickly, so we recommend booking early to secure your place.

4. Certificate of completion

Once you have completed the online learning and group discussion, you will receive a certificate. For court-ordered participants, this will satisfy requirements for Court Orders.

Contact us

If you have more questions, please contact our Melbourne Family Relationship Centre, which coordinates the program.

Phone: (03) 8625 3666
Email [email protected]

Evaluation results

90% of parents learned new skills to use in their co-parenting relationship.
90.27% of parents had had a greater understanding of their child(ren)'s behaviour and emotions.
93.7% of parents were satisfied with the program.
91.7% of parents had an increased understanding of self-care.

Participant feedback

'It opened my eyes up around co-parenting and how the children also view the relationship between the parents.'
'Hearing about experiences in a safe environment over Zoom is helpful.'
'I thought the course was exceptional. Realised it was put together in COVID-19. We were able to share things that were helpful.'
‘I’m not alone – others are going through this – and you can come out the other side.’
'It reiterated to me the importance of leaving children out of adult issues and maintaining focus on moving forward and ensuring the kids are okay and reassured throughout a challenging time.'
'It's okay to ask for help. Knowledge is power and the more knowledge you have in this area, the more successful you are going to be at co-parenting.'