Put Your Kids First

Each year in the United States more than one million children under the age of 18 experiences the divorce of their parents. Kids First is an interactive experience that focuses on how effective parenting during this time of transition can lessen the negative impact of divorce and parental separation on children.

Kids First is a children’s rights organization providing, critical, preventive services to strengthen families through education and advocacy. It was formed in 1994 as a grassroots organization to educate the public about the effects of divorce on children. The co-­‐parenting program was developed out of a belief that divorcing parents would do a better job raising their children following the termination of their marriage if they understood what impact their actions had on their children and were taught alternatives to damaging behavior. The program grew to include parents that were never married, grandparents, and stepparents.

95% of participants found the program to be helpful and over 89% rate that they believe their relationship with the other parent will improve after having attended a class. More than 250,000 parents have successfully completed the Kids First Co-­‐Parenting Program.

The programs biggest impact has been on the co-­‐parenting relationship. Parents have learned to recognize when their actions put their children in the middle of their conflicts. Research shows attendees stop engaging in behaviors like putting the other parent down in front of the child, asking children to spy or carry messages, and fighting in front of the children. Research also shows that parents who have completed the class are less likely to go back to court following their final divorce order and are more likely to share ongoing parenting duties.

Judges, family court administrators and attorneys across the nation have reviewed and recommended the Kids First Co-­‐Parenting program.