🌿 Parenting Through Separation
Separation and divorce can be difficult for everyone involved — especially children. At Progressive Pathways, we understand that while adult relationships may change, the role of parenting continues. Our Parenting Through Separationprogram is designed to help parents create stability, communication, and cooperation during times of transition.
Supporting Children Through Change
Children need safety, love, and consistency above all else. During separation, they may experience worry, sadness, or confusion. Our program provides parents with the tools to help children feel heard, supported, and secure, even when living in two different homes.
Building Healthy Co-Parenting Relationships
We focus on practical strategies for reducing conflict and improving communication between parents. Topics include:
Understanding how separation affects children of different ages
Creating effective parenting plans
Managing emotions and stress during transitions
Communicating respectfully with your co-parent
Keeping children out of adult conflict
A Path Forward
Parenting through separation is not about being perfect — it’s about learning to work together for your child’s well-being. With patience, empathy, and the right support, families can move forward with strength and respect.
Links to resources
Parenting after separation
Is for parents or guardians who are separating or getting a divorce. Sometimes the course is required, or you can voluntarily take the course.
The course is required:
before you file a divorce application or a Family Law Act application in the Court of King’s Bench
if a judge directs you to take it
Course topics include:
building relationships
how separation affects parents
how separation affects children
communication skills
legal issues
alternative dispute resolution
parenting plans
Parenting After Separation for Families in High Conflict (PASHC)
course is for parents or guardians who have completed the Parenting After Separation (PAS) course.
It’s required if a judge directs you to take it. Otherwise, you can voluntarily take it.
You and the other party take this course separately.
Course topics include:
parental involvement and disengagement techniques
parenting plans for high conflict families
anger, abuse, power and control issues
child development and the needs of children
renegotiating boundaries.
Because life goes on … helping children and youth live with separation and divorce
Because Life Goes On … was first published by Health Canada in 1994, followed by a second edition in 2000. In the two decades since the first edition was published, a wealth of research has shed new light on what parents can do to help their children successfully adapt to the separation. For example, in general children do best when:
their parents work to control and reduce their conflict
they receive nurturing and consistent parenting from at least one parent
their parents take care of their own mental health and well-being
they continue to have meaningful relationships with both parents