Single mothers get in touch with their teens

by Tony Lejo

April 2, 2008

THE age old problem of parent and teenager relationships can be especially turbulent for single mothers, but a free program run across several WA universities aims to change that.

The Relationships After Divorce or Separation program will give mothers and their adolescent kids access to psychologists and child development experts with an aim to improve understanding and communication.

The RADS program is the brainchild of Murdoch University psychologist and professor, Bonnie Barber, whose specialty is teenage development and relationships. She is quick to point out that although RADS addresses difficult stages of life, it will focus on people’s strengths rather than weaknesses.

“Kids share a lot of things with their mums and they actually have a lot in common with their mothers, so certain sessions involve talking about common goals,” Professor Barber said. “It’s very much about empowerment and focusing on strength.”

RADS co-ordinator Corrina Fiorentino said that although it can provide teenagers with a forum to discuss difficulties caused by separation or divorce, it also helps them form social contacts.

“Kids come out of their shell quite quickly,” said Ms Fiorentino, “usually after the first week and they sometimes exchange phone numbers.”

She also said it can be difficult for single parents to negotiate time to attend educational workshops, particularly when they also have much younger children. In such circumstances, “the family dynamic can sometimes be thrown into chaos”.

The free program is being run at Murdoch, UWA, and Edith Cowan University.