A ground-breaking post- separation parenting course organised by community leaders in Co Monaghan will begin in the town on June 13th. They also plan to provide for young people caught up in the trauma of parents divorcing.
The management of a youth information centre at Castleblayney, Co Monaghan, has joined with a local women's group in organising the post- separation parenting course. The aim of the course is to help parents to explore and develop skills that enable them to cope as a single parent and learn how to work co-operatively with their ex-partners.
"We accept that this is a very unusual course, but we feel it is very necessary in today's society, in which counselling is so necessary in handling family break-ups," a spokeswoman said.
"During the first week of the course, we will be exploring how individuals can cope with the loss they experience from the departure of a partner.
"The following week we will deal with the reaction of the children, depending on their ages, and the programme then goes on to coping with stress as a single parent and the devising of a parenting plan, free of conflict for either party."
Course facilitator Doreen Condon, who is a marriage counsellor, said: "We sincerely hope it will help many people who might be in a difficult situation at present, because of their particular circumstances."
The course is free of charge.