DC4K » Youth ministers

Do children experience “stages” of divorce?

For years, people who work with children of divorce have wondered what the stages of grief are for these kids. One children’s minister asked me, “How can I help a child of divorce when I don’t know what the stages of grief are? Explain them to me, please.” Many have held onto the stages of grief developed by Elisabeth Kübler-Ross. Basically, those stages Read more…

Posted: February 5th, 2018 ˑ 6 Comments
Filled under: Discipline, Divorce Issues, Single Parents, Uncategorized, Whirlwind Kids

Single parents, summer, tweens, and teens: Why your church should help and how it can

Many of us adults envy little children who don’t have to go to school or work every day during the summer. We wish we could have the summer off like the kids out of school. Maybe you imagine kids playing in a pool all day long or going to the beach. For many children in single-parent homes, however, summer proves to be Read more…

Posted: June 7th, 2017 ˑ No Comments
Filled under: Accept the Challenge, Divorce Issues, Single Parents

Think divorce doesn’t hurts kids? Think again.

Don’t think divorce hurts kids? Think again. Of all the ways a divorce negatively impacts a child’s life, the impact on their religious life may be the most detrimental of all. Church attendance and participation in church activities can be particularly cumbersome and tricky. Research shows most single parents drop out of church shortly after the divorce. While a child may want to Read more…

Posted: April 18th, 2016 ˑ 2 Comments
Filled under: Accept the Challenge, Divorce Issues, Emotions, Single Parents

The lost generation? Saving today’s kids from the long-term effects of divorce

It is important for anyone living with or working with the child of divorce to understand the long-term legacies of divorce on children. As a single parent, grandparent, mentor or church leader, you can help an individual child to better cope and potentially even lessen the impact of a particular long-term legacy. Your input today may help lessen the severity of the Read more…

Posted: March 21st, 2016 ˑ 1 Comment
Filled under: Accept the Challenge, Divorce Issues, Single Parents

Children Ignored By ….

A spiritual war rages over each and every child. It is above us and beyond us and engages the full fury of the hosts of both heaven and hell. Children may be ignored by government, church and mission – but not by Satan or God Almighty.” Dr. Wess Stafford in “Too Small to Ignore” Will children of divorce in your community turn toward Read more…

Posted: March 16th, 2016 ˑ No Comments
Filled under: Accept the Challenge, Divorce Issues, Quotes

What Happens to The Child of Divorce During the “Switching Hour”?

Many have coined the time when children go from one home to another the “switching hour”. Evon Flesberg was the first expert to write about the switching hour in her book, “The Switching Hour, Kids of Divorce Say Good-Bye Again”[1]. I’ve watched children for years deal with this issue of switching back and forth between homes. Evon brings up an interesting point when Read more…

Posted: February 25th, 2016 ˑ 4 Comments
Filled under: Accept the Challenge, Divorce Issues, Holidays, Single Parents, Stress, Visitation

Adult children of divorce: Time alone won’t heal childhood wounds

Divorce has life long consequences. If a person was young when their parents divorced they have had to face processing several childhood milestones with only one parent. If they were older, such as a teenager, their parent’s divorce may have them questioning their entire value system. Some research shows the younger a person is when the divorce happens, the more times they process Read more…

Posted: February 18th, 2016 ˑ 2 Comments
Filled under: Accept the Challenge, Attracting families, Divorce Issues, Grandparents, Modern families, Single Parents, Step and blended families

Effects of Divorce on Teens and How Mobile Devices Can Complicate Healing

Divorce for teenagers is difficult at best. Now in the world of smart phones and other mobile devices divorce seems to be more open. These devices allow teens to express themselves with clarity never experienced before. It’s easy to fire off an angry text to a dad who has caused the divorce due to his infidelity. It’s easy to curse via a text Read more…

Posted: February 1st, 2016 ˑ 2 Comments
Filled under: Co-parenting, Divorce Issues, Emotions, Single Parents, Stress, Uncategorized

Tweens and the Effects of Divorce on Their Lives

Defining the age group considered to be tweens depends upon the community you live in and the way your public school handles 5th and 6th grade children. Keep in mind that many children will regress emotionally and intellectually. To be a child on the threshold of adolescence is the worst time to have divorcing parents. Some teens when being told parents are divorcing Read more…

Posted: January 26th, 2016 ˑ 10 Comments
Filled under: Divorce Issues, Single Parents

Father’s Day

Father’s Day is set aside to celebrate the father’s in our world. Some children of divorce may not have a close relationship with their father. Perhaps the Lord has provided another person to play that father role. If the Lord has provided a grandfather, uncle, older siblings, neighbors or even a male mentor from the church, encourage the child to celebrate that person. Read more…

Posted: June 14th, 2013 ˑ No Comments
Filled under: Accept the Challenge, Divorce Issues, Holidays, Single Parents, Uncategorized