1. Dealing with Family Wounds
The Devastation of Divorce

2. Let’s Pray World Meeting of Families Prayer
God and Father of us all, in Jesus, your Son and our Savior, you have made us your sons and daughters in the family of the Church.
May your grace and love help our families in every part of the world be united to one another in fidelity to the Gospel.
May the example of the Holy Family, with the aid of your Holy Spirit, guide all families, especially those most troubled, to be homes of communion and prayer and to always seek your truth and live in your love.
Through Christ our Lord, Amen.
Jesus, Mary and Joseph…Pray for us!

3. A Little About Myself Taylor Geiger 22 Years Old
Recently Married (August 8th)
Theology Degree from Silver Lake College of the Holy Family
Worked in youth ministry for 3 years
Campus Minister at Roncalli High School
Parents are divorced
I’m not a counselor…or a doctor

4. Divorce Sucks 2nd Grade…parents divorce I remember being:
Confused, frustrated, angry
Not sure who to blame
Ostracized from friends at school

5. We Aren’t Waiting for Superman
Children of Divorce aren’t:
Your problem to fix
A “project” to work on
Children of Divorce are:
Children of God
In need of love, compassion, & empathy

6. Forgive, but Hard to Forget
Walk with them on a journey of forgiveness
“And this is important! To know how to forgive one another in families because we all make mistakes, all of us!” Pope Francis
My Story
Annoyed with my youth minister
1 on 1 talks
Challenge to forgive
Road to Emmaus
Walked with them…the wrong way

7. Practical Tips Mentorship Be present God the Father & Mother Mary
Teach them small skills (manual labor, shaving, make up, etc.)
Be the wise one
Be present
Games, events, shows
God the Father & Mother Mary
Might be hard to connect with one…so use the other

8. Practical Tips Continued…
Don’t try so hard
Let Jesus do the heavy lifting
You aren’t going to heal their wounds…Jesus is.
Love them…no matter how difficult it is
We have the largest family
Utilize this
Stay connected
Texts, s, FACE-TO-FACE

9. Practical Tips Continued…
Every story is different…very different
Handout acknowledges the plurality of this
Factors such as the age of the child, time since the divorce, parenting style, financial security, and type and extent of parental conflict all contribute to post divorce adjustment. McLanahan (1999)
Cannot apply broad stroke
Parents
Key to understanding the situation
Communicate WITH BOTH
Keep out of the power struggle that may exist

10. Practical Tips Continued…
Know your limits
It may be too much to handle
You (probably) aren’t a counselor
Lack training and experience necessary
Don’t be afraid to refer to a counselor
Journeying
Not their parents. Period.
Miss-projection
Dangerous – form bad attachments

11. Sources Handouts American Psychological Association
Messy and situational
Financial, parenting style, age, friend group, etc.
National Association of School Psychologists
Encourage strong outside relationships…but be careful
Reiterates the complexities of divorce

12. Hope Possible for children to come out strong
I did!
…I think…
…Ask my wife
Jesus heals the broken hearted
Lead them to Him…no exceptions