Kids recovering

By Bridget Brady
AN INTERACTIVE divorce recovery program for children to start in Cranbourne next week will equip youngsters with skills to cope with the changes in their lives.
The seven-week long recovery program for children aged six to 12 aims to help children deal with the many emotions they may encounter when their parents separate or get divorced such as grief, guilt and anger.
Freedom Christian Church will support the program, called KIDMIL (Kids in Divorce Moulding Incredible Lives), which will operate through Freedom House.
Two of the driving forces behind the recovery program, Pastor Lorri Kruithoff and counsellor Candy Daniels, said the feelings of children were sometimes forgotten during divorce.
“I don’t think a lot of people realise that children need help too. Or some parents may not know where to go for help,” Pastor Kruithoff said.
“Children can blame themselves, so it’s important for children so they know it’s not their fault.”
The program will cover different topics each week and, more importantly, it will be interactive and fun, Mrs Daniels said.
“Kids tend to talk when they are preoccupied. If you ask a child a question directly they may not always answer you so we will do it through games, fun activities like drawing, acting and puppets.”
Mrs Daniels said some children’s characters were broken down as a result of divorce and behaviour changes could affect performance at school.
“And if it’s not dealt with, they can take it with them as an adult.”
Pastor Kruithoff said support was offered for parents if need be.
“Children have real needs in divorce. They are angry and they hurt too,” Pastor Kruithoff said.
The cost is $10 per week for each child. The first session will be on 26 March from 5.30pm to 7pm at Freedom Christian Church in Cranbourne.
For details call 5995 2005.