Help for separated parents

Relationships Scotland Dumfries and Galloway are launching Parenting Apart Groups for mums and dads locally who are separating, living apart or getting divorced.
The sessions are for groups of mums and dads and are led by experienced family support professionals.
They last three hours and help couples tackle issues including dealing with conflict, finances, and making joint decisions and how to communicate with kids after separation.
Relationships Scotland hopes their new service will help parents move forward without kids getting stuck in the middle.
Development worker Bernadette Lynass says most of the problems that couples go through when they separate are emotional or about their children.
She said: “It can be hard when you are emotionally tied up in the situation. How do you talk to the kids about your partner? If people are feeling frustrated with each other that often spills over.
“Parenting Apart is a strong foundation for getting through these problems.”
More than one in three children are now likely to experience their parents getting divorced or separating before they turn 16.
Parenting Apart has been piloted in South Lanarkshire for the last six years and thanks to Scottish Government funding, is now getting rolled out nationwide.
Relationships Scotland hopes it will provide Scottish parents with the same opportunities as in England and Wales.
And the charity is encouraging parents to get in touch to find out more about coming to a free session.
To find out more go to www.relationships-scotland.org.uk/family-support/parenting-apart-groups.