The Volunteer Attorney Program, Northland Mediation, Kids First

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Kids 1st is an eight-hour parental education seminar committed to helping families successfully move through the changes associated with divorce or permanent parental separation.

It is in the best interest of your children that you take the time to see divorce and family change through their eyes. Parenting during this transition is challenging and Kids 1st discusses how to help your children through this difficult time.

Topics Includ:

Feelings associated with divorce.
Ways that children of different ages react during transition.
A parenting approach that will benefit your children.
Suggested ways for talking to your children about divorce.
Other adjustments children will need to make.

This is an educational program and not a counseling session. Parents will not be expected to discuss personal problems.

Seminar Locations & Dates:
ALL SESSIONS THURSDAY EVENINGS 6:00 - 10:00 P.M.

Carlton		Courthouse - 1st Thursday

Two Harbors		Courthouse - 2nd Thursday

Duluth		Torrey Building - 3rd Thursday

Hibbing		Courthouse - Alternating 4th Thursday

Virginia		Courthouse - Alternating 4th Thursday

Grand Marais		Courthouse - Special Scheduling

Pre-Registration:
Attendance is usually required of both parties in divorce, paternity, change of custody or visitation actions and pre-registration is required to assure your place at the session.

Please call 218-723-1742 to confirm date and location.

Plan to attend the seminar which you have requested. No further notification will be given unless a class is cancelled.

The fee for each participant to attend Kids 1st is $65.00 + $15.00 for the Internet portion. This fee will be reduced to $25.00 + $15.00 for the Internet portion for clients of Legal Aid, Indian Legal and the Volunteer Attorney Program. If your fees are reduced and you fail to attend the session you registered for, you will be required to pay the $45 fee to attend Kids 1st.

If you prefer NOT to attend the same class as your spouse (former spouse), please inform the program when registering.

Children's Rights

"I have the right..."

To be told that my mother and father will always love me.
To be told that the family break-up is not my fault
To be seen as a human being not a piece of property to be fought for or bargained over.
To have decisions about me based on what is in my best interest and not on my parents' hurt feelings or needs.
To love both my father and mother without being forced to choose or feel guilty.
To know both my mother and father through regular and frequent involvement in my life.
To have the financial support of both my mother and my father.
To be spared form hearing hurtful or negative comments about either of my parents.
To be a child and not asked to lie, spy or send messages between my parents.
To be allowed to have affection for new people who come into my life without feeling guilty or being pressured.

Please fill out the following form and mail it along with participant fee to Kids 1st. DO NOT SEND CASH! Checks should be made payable to Kids 1st

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REGISTRATION FORM KIDS 1ST SEMINAR
You must pre-register to attend Kids 1st.
Name:	_________________________
Address:	_________________________
City:	_________________________
State/Zip:	_________________________
Home Phone:	_________________________
Work Phone:	_________________________
Venued County:	_________________________
Date and Place
Date:	_________________________
Place:	_________________________
If you prefer not to attend the same seminar as your spouse (former spouse), please write his/her name:_________________________
Please return to: Kids 1st 314 West Superior Street #1000 Duluth, MN 55802
Make checks payable to: Kids 1st.

Dear Mom and Dad,
I have some questions. But I don't know how to say them, and I don't want to hurt somebody's feelings, and I'm kind of confused.
I really hate it that you two are getting a divorce. I thought we were a family and I've tried to be good so that you two would get back together. I know you've both told me that you'll always love me...but right now I don't feel very loved.

When parents get divorced it feels really sad and sometimes you even feel like running away. Did you mean it when you told me it wasn't my fault, that I didn't do something wrong or bad? Is divorce really between mom's and dad's, even if I'm still here?

It makes me feel bad when you say mean things about each other because I don't even know what child support is. I think we should talk more.

I think I understand about visitation now, but it really hurts when I'm supposed to be picked up for the weekend and you call and tell me you can't come. Please don't forget me! And i don't need you to buy me more toys - it doesn't make me feel better, i would just rather be with you.

I was wondering about next year at school when I get to play sports - can you both come to see me play? I'm going to miss being a family at Christmas and at my birthday especially. And I still would like to go over to Grandma and Grandpa's house and see them and my cousins too. I can still have fun can't I?

I hope we can be nice to each other and that you will both love me forever because I will love my Mom and Dad forever too.

Love,
Me