Contact Tralle Law
612-787-2553 claire (AT) trallelaw.com

What do I do when: I need to take a Parent Education Class?

November 9, 2016

If you are in the process of a divorce or separation in Minnesota and there are contested (not agreed upon) custody or parenting time issues, you are required to take a parent education class.  You will get notice from the court stating you must attend a certified dissolution education program, or you may have seen it in the Summons, which is one of the initial papers to start the divorce or custody preceding.  This is a statutory requirement in the State of Minnesota (Minn. Stat. §518.157).

This is not a new requirement.  The statute that orders the education program has been around for over 20 years.  The idea is simple: let’s give parents the tools to become (better) co-parents with one another and learn what their child may be experiencing during this transitional time.  There are several education programs you can choose from.  The program I always recommend is the University of Minnesota Extension’s Parents Forever.**

Why is the Parents Forever program superior? There are many reasons ranging from how long the program has been around (since the beginning) to Extension’s continued reflection and adaptation to improve the program to the quality of facilitators teaching the program.  But the main reason Parents Forever stands above the others is the focus on self-care.  Without parental self-care, it is nearly impossible to be the best parent you can be, and even more impossible to be the best co-parent you can be.  Its common sense backed up by research.

After you decide which course to take, you need to decide if you want to take an in-person or an on-line course.  You can learn more about the differences HERE.  While there are convenience factors that may push you to an on-line program, the in-person programs are better as they offer two things the on-line programs don’t have: the discussion and other parents.

First, you're able to ask questions and get answers from very knowledgeable people.  In our program there is an attorney (me) and a parenting coach (Lisa) who teach the class. This can be very helpful when trying to understand a topic, learn more about a subject, or find access to additional resources.

Second, you're able to talk to other parents in similar situations.  This can sometimes be even more beneficial than learning from the facilitators.  Hearing from people about their similar situations or their offerings about what's been working/not working for them can very much help you.  We've had parents exchange numbers/contact information with each other at the end of class, so they can stay in contact with each other.

Even if you believe your divorce or separation will not be contested, I always encourage my clients to attend the class.  The knowledge that you learn may be helpful down the road.  And the connections you can make with other parents are mutually beneficial.

 

**Claire Tralle is currently a facilitator of a Parents Forever program in the twin cities.  You may click HERE to learn more about our program or register for our next Parents Forever class.