This Parenting after Separation seminar is one of many free seminars and services offered by Family Justice Services, a division of the Department of Justice Canada, and in coordination with the Alberta Courts. The purpose of this seminar is to give parents who are separated or seeking a divorce the knowledge and tools they will require to better serve their children’s health, social and emotional needs.
Studies have shown that children of parents who complete the program are much less likely to develop Parental Alienation Syndrome. As the children’s mental health is paramount, it is in their best interests that the government funds this type of program. As well, attendance in the free course will provide the following additional benefits:
I remember once having a friend who used to be in high conflict with the mother of his children. He attended the seminar and learned how separated and fighting parents can negatively affect children. He then called the mother of his children and arranged a friendly lunch to discuss the things that he learned. It was a pivotal turning point in their co-parenting—and from that point forward, their co-parenting became very friendly.
Previously, the seminar was only available in-class on a Saturday (full-day) or two evenings. But now you can complete the course on-line in 3 hours! You can visit the Alberta Government’s Website here: http://pas.albertacourts.ab.ca/PAS-course . Click the “Register to Access Course” button.
Topics parents will learn include:
In the Court of Queen’s Bench of Alberta, filing a Certificate of Completion of the Parenting after Separation program is required in most cases before finalizing a divorce. In the Alberta Provincial Court, Judges often order the completion of the course before proceeding with any type of application involving children (ie. custody, access and child support).
Yes, it is possible that you may be able to apply for and receive an exemption from attending the seminar. But, now that the seminar is available on-line, exemptions are difficult to obtain. If you are in a battle over custody, access and child support with your spouse and you refuse to take the PAS Course, it may negatively affect the outcome of your case (ie. if you are not willing to take it, the Judge might assume you do not have the children’s bests interests at heart).
The following situations may qualify you for an exemption (but we recommend that you make every effort to take the course):
Often it is more work to get an exemption than simply taking the online course.
Other available seminars include:
To learn more about all of these seminars, click this link: Family Justice Services Seminars
One of the interesting take-a-ways I got from this seminar is that children identify with both parents. If you criticize the other parent in front of the children—effectively it’s like criticizing your children. Also, it brings the children a tremendous amount of joy when:
Most importantly, it is important that you do these nice things even if the other parent does not do them for you. You will also learn how typical behaviors arise in children as they reach certain ages, as a result of their parents’ separation and/or divorce. You will learn the age-related behaviors that can be expected, and how best to manage them.
Do you have favorite lessons that you’ve learned from this or other parenting courses? Please feel free to share your comments below. In the meantime, here is a fantastic video providing children’s perspective of divorce.