In my experience as a divorce attorney in Austin, I have learned that there is no more challenging issue for families than the impact of divorce on the children that are involved. Despite the fact that kids might experience trauma as their parents grew apart over time, the real damage from such an event can come when the separation is compete.
You can learn more about some of those life changes by watching our free Austin divorce seminar. As that change unfolds, adults in the child’s life become extremely important as sources of support, love, understanding, and sharing. Of those adults, those most commonly associated with children on a routine basis are teachers and teacher associates in the school setting. This short article provides some guidance and information for educators working with children from divorced families.
As things change at home, teachers should be the first to notice how it effects children. Since the No Child Left Behind Act, many educators have started to focus solely on that program and teach exclusively to it. Some teachers have started to focus on the process itself instead of the needs of the kids in their charge.
Next, it’s important for teachers to find out what resources the community has available to children living in a home with divorce. Financial assistance for child care and after-school programs for single parents are just a couple of examples.
Thirdly, educators should work with school administration to support the addition of social workers and school counselors who provide intervention and support for children experiencing the family trauma of divorce. It makes a lot of sense for social services and related behavioral services to occur at school since kids spend most of each weekday there.
It’s really important for teachers to spend one-on-one time with newly single parents whether that is in parent-teacher conferences or other meetings. That small amount of time gives the parent a much needed opportunity to share frustrations, ask questions about changes that may be occurring in the child, and share information with the teacher that may be helpful in working with the child.
Kids can develop emotional problems and attachment issues if some of the changes they’re facing aren’t dealt with in the early stages. We understand this need and attempt to minimize the impact to children by using collaborative law in Austin. Teachers have the ability to give support and sometimes intervene when children and their newly single parents may need it most. Taking the time to recognize changes in the child and provide openings for conversations with the child and family is a key action step for teachers in the 21st century.
