Families have been supported by Parents Forever for a quarter century
The Parents Forever educational program is a valuable resource for parents and caregivers navigating divorce, separation, or co-parenting challenges. Developed to protect children's emotional and legal well-being during these transitions, the program has become a beacon of support for families worldwide [3].
History and Evolution
Originating as a local educational initiative in Minnesota, Parents Forever was delivered by Extension services such as the University of Wisconsin–Madison Extension [3]. Over the years, the program has expanded its reach, offering virtual classes that extend beyond its original locality.
Scope
Parents Forever supports individuals who are in the process of divorce or separation, already divorced, or never married but involved in caregiving or co-parenting arrangements. The program addresses legal issues, emotional management, and effective parenting strategies during family transitions, aiming to reduce conflict, enhance communication, and focus on children's best interests [3].
Impact
By educating parents and caregivers, Parents Forever contributes to healthier co-parenting relationships and better outcomes for children affected by parental separation. This type of program helps reduce the negative impact of divorce on children by fostering mutual understanding and cooperation between parents [3].
Evolution From Local to Global
Although specific global reach or international expansion details are not provided, the availability of Parents Forever classes in virtual formats through university extensions, such as University of Wisconsin–Madison, indicates national if not international accessibility. This virtual delivery model suggests scalability beyond the program’s original locality, supporting broader dissemination [3].
In 2021, Parents Forever was added to the Early Intervention Foundation (EIF) guidebook in the United Kingdom, further expanding its global presence.
Key Features
Participants learn how to understand their children's feelings and needs from the program. The program emphasizes the importance of self-care, parent-child relationships, and coparenting in child well-being. Parents Forever's focus on child well-being is grounded in healthy family relationships [3].
Over the years, Parents Forever has evolved to offer multiple delivery methods, including two online program options (4 hour and 8 hour). The team has multiple research publications and conference presentations. They use shared evaluation measures across the country to improve the program's content and delivery methods [3].
Images related to Parents Forever may also be republished, with specific photographer credits or limited use restrictions. These online programs reach state, national, and international audiences [3].
In conclusion, Parents Forever is an adaptable curriculum that any community can use to facilitate their own divorce education program. With its focus on child well-being and whole-person perspective, Parents Forever is a valuable resource for families worldwide. The program has been granted permission for news media to republish articles about it with credit to the University of Minnesota [3].
- The Parents Forever educational program, initially a local educational initiative in Minnesota, has evolved to offer classes in health-and-wellness through virtual formats, thereby extending its reach beyond its original locality and becoming accessible to state, national, and potentially international audiences.
- Apart from addressing the challenges of divorce, separation, or co-parenting for children, Parents Forever also emphasizes the importance of mental health through its focus on self-care and emotional management for parents and caregivers, making it a valuable resource in the field of mental health and parenting.
- In addition to supporting individuals during family transitions, Parents Forever promotes education and self-development through its online program options and evidence-based approach, making it a valuable resource in terms of learning and personal growth.
