Parents Forever™

Taking Care of Yourself

This section helps parents understand and embrace that they need to take care of themselves first in order to effectively help their children through a family transition. The “Taking Care of Yourself” session will help parents:

• Describe thoughts and feelings associated with the family transition process.
• Examine the links between self-care and life skills needed during and after the family transition.
• Analyze how personal needs and wants affect goals and create an action plan to improve self-care for the future.

Taking Care of Your Children

This section helps parents figure out how to establish and maintain balance between their own and their children’s needs. The “Taking Care of Your Children” session will help parents:

• Recognize how the stages of child development influence children’s journey through the family transition.
• Identify characteristics of parent-child relationships that improve child well-being.
• Apply knowledge and identify skills that will lead to improved parent-child relationships.

Being Successful with Co-parenting

Everyone in the family will benefit if divorced or separated parents build a healthy co-parenting relationship. The “Being Successful with Co-Parenting” section will help parents:

• Reflect on the nature of their co-parenting relationships.
• Apply the communication and conflict management skills necessary for an effective co-parenting relationship.
• Recognize that a parenting plan is an effective tool to prepare for positive co-parenting.

Parents Forever™ Course Conclusion

After a family transition like divorce or separation, the future holds many possibilities for parents and their children. This section helps parents understand that although a divorce or separation can be difficult, a family transition can also provide an opportunity to become a stronger parent and to grow closer as a family.

The “Parents Forever™ Course Conclusion” session will help parents:

• Describe how self-care, parent-child relationships, and co-parenting relationships work together to improve family well-being

Zoom Course

• Takes four hours to complete.
• Certificate available upon completion. Must be in attendance with camera on and visible/participating the entire time.
• Cost: $55
• Requires a reliable computer and internet connection, plus the ability to use Zoom

Advantages

• Saves driving time to a site and possible child care costs
• Group interaction and learning activities without leaving home
• Teaching can be adjusted to individual needs

Self-paced, Online Course

Anyone can register and take the online course at their convenience. Cost is $69.00.

The NDSU Extension partners with University of Minnesota Extension to make this available. A printable certificate will be downloadable and available for proof of course completion. This certificate and a copy of your payment receipt will be sufficient proof for anyone court-ordered to take the course.

• Takes approximately 4½ hours to complete
• Certificate available upon completion
• Costs $69
• Requires a reliable computer and internet connection, plus other technical requirements
• Requires comfort with online learning
• Requires a fifth- to eighth-grade reading level in English

Advantages

• Available when you need it
• Accessible wherever an internet connection is available
• Program can be completed at one time or over a month or more
• Consistent information presented every time
• Saves driving to a site and possible child-care costs

In-person Course

• Takes four hours to complete
• Certificate available upon completion
• Costs $55

Advantages

• Group interaction and learning opportunities
• Connection to additional local agencies and resources
• Teaching can be adjusted to individual participant’s needs
• Reduced fees possible in some locations

In-person registration policies:

• Payment options
• Special accommodations
• Spanish language materials
• Other circumstances, including people who should not attend classes together

For a list of available classes visit our Events Page