TRANSITIONS | Page 18

TEENAGERS AND DIVORCE Divorcing parents should expect to encounter the wrath of their teenage child. Teenagers typically experience failing grades and antisocial behavior during and after their parent’s divorce. As a parent, what are your options? Divorce does not mean that your teenage child has to suffer. Divorce or not, parents need to communicate effectively and share information with one another. Parents need to be on the same page to provide needed love, guidance and discipline to their teenager. At Kids First Parents Second, it was obvious that these teenage children felt lost. Most of these children simply wanted to be left alone. It was that basic human right that led to us helping the teenagers creating a Bill of Rights for the Divorcing Family. The teenager, along with their parents would sign the Bill and it would become the “law” in the family household. Enclosed is a sample “Bill of Rights” for your families use. Feel free to print the Bill of Rights for your family OR talk to your teenager and create your own families Bill of Rights. Tell us about your “Bill of Rights” Story on our facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/conflictorcollaborative/. BY: MATT SOSSI, J.D. KIDS FIRST PARENTS SECOND