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Building healthy single-parent families
A 10-week program for single parents And their Children
 "Just
Me and the Kids" is a comprehensive 1--week program born
out of years of work with single parents and their children.
This program is specifically designed to help the growing
number of single-parent families' work through the trauma
of divorce and find life on the other side. There are separate
sessions for parents and for children so the whole family
can benefit.
Program for Children
The unique children's ministry meets on the same nights and
at the same time as the parent's small group. Ten active learning
sessions will help children:
• Acknowledge their feelings
• Process their pain, denial, anger and guilt
• Regain their self-esteem
• Move towards healing and wholeness
• Feel loved, comfortable, and free to communicate what
is going on inside
Divorce affects children. Even those who appear to have adjusted
well are often struggling inside with the churning emotions
of grief. They need to share their feelings with other single-parent
children and with caring adults who will gently listen to
and support them in the healing process. And there is no better
place for this to occur than within the context of the church.
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Program for
Single Parents
Video sessions and small group discussions give single parents
mutual support as they share personal experiences, pain, and
frustrations, and begin the healing process. Moms and dads will
find practical guidance for surviving and growing within the
context of a one-parent family. Parents are also equipped to
better understand their children's behavior patterns and provide
appropriate care.
This ministry is not intended to be therapy. Rather, it is designed
to cover critical issues that single parents and their children
face.
Topics
Small group discussions will include topics such as:
*God's desire for wholeness in our lives
*Understanding the stages of grief
*Helping children cope with loss
*Developmental stress in children
*Time management
*Resolving dependency issues
Each age-graded children's session includes:
*Attention-getting opening activities
*Age-appropriate crafts
*Original, relevant stories
*Active games, role-plays and skits
*Stimulating discussion questions
*Nutritious snacks
Sessions are led by trained, caring leaders. At a special
"Family Graduation Ceremony," children and parents
celebrate together the steps forward they have taken.
Study Book
The Single-Parent Study Book provides practical, relevant
content. Each chapter includes "trigger questions"
to stimulate healthy, recovery-oriented discussions and the
expression of feelings between parents and children.
About the Developer of "Just Me and the Kids"
Barbara Schiller is the director and founder of Single Parent
Family Resources, St. Louis, Missouri. "Just Me and the
Kids" was born out of Barb's work on church staff, where
she developed these materials.
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