Children in the Middle

What is Children in the Middle?

This educational program is designed to help parents work together to co-parent their children when there is a divorce, separation, or if the parents have never been married and are living apart. The program is coordinated by UW-Extension and taught by UW-Extension staff as well as trained facilitators from the community. Some people are required by the courts to take the course, while others participate by choice.

How will the Children in the Middle program help me and my family?

The Children in the Middle Program teaches participants about the effects of divorce on children at different ages and how parents can help their children adjust during this transition. Parents learn how to communicate effectively with the other parent in ways that can minimize conflict. Video examples of how parents put children in the middle of divorce conflict are used to talk about how parents can their children out of the middle of conflict.

Here’s what some parents say about the course:
     “I wish sessions were longer to discuss situations more.”
     “The class was an eye opener. I realized that I was putting my kids in the middle.”
     “I think this should be a mandatory class for both parents involved in a divorce.”
     “The class was worth every penny — It helped me out.”

How does the Children in the Middle program work?

Parents attend two (2) group sessions of two (2) hours each for a total of four (4) hours of class. The classes are on Wednesday evenings. You must attend both sessions within the same month.
Parents will attend separate sessions (both parents cannot be in the same class) and must call individually to register for the course.
In order to complete the course you must turn in your action plan and homework and attend all four (4) hours of the course.
Upon completion of the course you will receive a certificate of completion and a copy of the certificate will be forwarded to the court.
Parents will receive a six-part newsletter, “Common Ties”, after they complete the program.

2012 Children in the Middle Brochure (PDF, 2 trifold pages, 170 KB)

2012 Schedule

2012 Children in the Middle – Schedule through June
Dates	Time	Session Educator
January 4 & 11	6:00 to 8:00 pm	Patti Hardt
January 10 & 17	1:00 to 3:00 pm	Patti Herman
February 7 & 14	1:00 to 3:00 pm	Patti Herman
February 8 & 15	6:00 to 8:00 pm	Patti Hardt
March 6 & 13	9:00 to 11:00 am	Patti Herman
March 7 & 14	6:00 to 8:00 pm	Genevieve
April 3 & 10	9:00 to 11:00 am	Patti Herman
April 4 & 11	6:00 to 8:00 pm	Patti Hardt
May 16 & 23	6:00 to 8:00 pm	Patti Hardt
May 22 & 29	9:00 to 11:00 am	Patti Herman
June 5 & 12	9:00 to 11:00 am	Patti Herman
June 6 & 13	6:00 to 8:00 pm	Genevieve