Though most divorcing couples intend to put the best interests of their children first, their own emotions get in the way. So, how can divorced parents learn to prioritize their children’s needs and create a trusting and constructive coparenting relationship? How can they help their kids build resilience in the aftermath of divorce?

Risa Garon is the Cofounder and Executive Director of the National Family Resiliency Center (NFRC), an organization that provides counseling and educational programs to help children and adults cope, heal and navigate through divorce and other family transitions. Risa is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker and Certified Family Life Educator with nearly 30 years of experience helping separating and divorced couples develop parenting plans that focus on the developmental needs of the children involved.

On this episode of Divorce Dialogues, Risa joins Katherine to explain why it’s challenging for divorcing parents to put the best interests of their children first. She walks us through the four components of NFRC’s child-focused decision-making model, discussing how she considers what both parents want—but prioritizes the child’s needs. Listen in for insight on dealing with high-conflict parents and get Risa’s advice on minimizing stress over the holidays after a divorce.

Topics Covered

Why it’s challenging for divorcing parents to put the best interests of their children first

The four components of NFRC’s child-focused decision-making model

Risa’s insight on how to deal with parents in a high-conflict divorce

How Risa considers what both parents want but prioritizes their children’s needs

Training mental health professionals, judicial officers, attorneys and mediators to mitigate conflict

Risa’s advice for minimizing stress over the holidays post-divorce

Successful examples of incorporating old holiday traditions with new ones after a divorce

Why Risa encourages divorced parents to chip in on one gift rather than buying presents separately

What grieving parents can do on holidays they spend without their kids

Connect with Risa Garon

National Family Resiliency Center: https://www.nfrchelp.org/

Call (410) 740-9553

Connect with Katherine Miller

The Center for Understanding Conflict: http://understandinginconflict.org/

Miller Law Group: https://westchesterfamilylaw.com/

Katherine on LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/kemiller1

The New Yorker’s Guide to Collaborative Divorce by Katherine Miller: https://www.amazon.com/New-Yorkers-Guide-Collaborative-Divorce/dp/0692496246

Email: [email protected]

Call (914) 738-7765

Resources

Books by Risa Garon: https://www.amazon.com/Books-Risa-J-Garon/s?rh=n%3A283155%2Cp_27%3ARisa+J.+Garon