Before You Divorce

This will be the biggest decision of your life; one that will affect you and your family for years to
come.

Don’t let the emotional intensity of a marriage crisis impact your decision-making. Before
deciding whether to divorce or stay together, you need information—LOTS of information.

Before You Divorce will help you step back from the emotional turmoil you now face to take an
objective view of how divorce (if you select that path) will affect your life in several different
areas:

• Emotional
• Physical
• Financial
• Legal
• Children and family
• Spiritual

It is essential that you have this information before making your decision.

Changes That Heal

At the outset, Cloud who co-author of the excellent “Boundaries” books’ identifies a balanced
approach to life, change, and growth governed by three key elements: grace, truth and time. He
discusses what good can come when these are employed in a balanced way and what damage
plus frustration results when these are neglected.

Then Cloud discusses mental health as a Christian and a developmental perspective. His four
main phases of development are bonding, separating, sorting out good from bad and becoming
an adult. Punctuated with relevant case-history stories, common emotional and spiritual
problems are connected with their developmental roots. He then addresses varying sizes of
problems, for example dealing with everything from extreme problems like suicide attempts to
nagging, and sub-surface depression. We can all benefit from this book.

DivorceCare for Adults

DivorceCare is a friendly, caring group of people who will walk alongside you through one of
life’s most difficult experiences. Don’t go through separation or divorce alone.

DivorceCare support groups are led by people who understand what you are going through and
want to help. You’ll gain access to valuable DivorceCare resources to help you deal with the
pain of the past and look forward to rebuilding your life.

DivorceCare groups meet weekly to help equip you with the tools you’ll need to face the
challenges of divorce and help you move toward rebuilding your life.

DivorceCare for Kids (DC4K) (ages 5-12)

DC4K is a special group to help your children heal from the pain caused by a separation or
divorce. DC4K provides your children with a safe and neutral place to recognize and learn to
share their feelings.

For 16 weeks your children become involved in a fun, caring group here at Mt. View Church.
The weekly session topics help your children learn that God’s love strengthens them and helps
them turn their sadness to hope and their anger to joy.

Each session is filled with motivating and exciting activities. Games, crafts, role playing,
discussion times, journaling and activity books help your children process the divorce and move
forward in their lives. The music CD’s, snacks, read aloud stories, exercises and Bible verses
teach your children to relax and rest secure in God’s love. The Kids Like Me and Stories from
the Bible video dramas present stories of children just like your children, who are experiencing
divorce-related problems and have found help and encouragement.

Divorce Recovery for Teens (BIG “D”) (ages 13-18)

For those with teenage children, it can be particularly hard to tell your teenager that you are
getting a divorce. Your teen is in a natural phase of independence and rebellion, and their
emotions can be explosive. They may tell you they do not care if you get a divorce, or they might
tell you it is all your fault. Regardless of what they say, they are also hurting and need support.

“Big D” is a support group for teens designed to give your teen an opportunity to interact with
others teens whose parents are also going through a divorce. The program success is due to
creating a small group environment that allows teens to share their experiences and express their
feelings in a trusting environment.

Single and Parenting

If you’re a single parent, you very well could be tired, overwhelmed and feeling a bit
underappreciated. That’s why we are beginning Single & Parenting groups—to share tips
and parenting wisdom that will help you find a more productive route through hope and
encouragement.

At a Single & Parenting group, you’ll participate in video seminars that explain how to:

• Wisely encourage your kids to obey
• Help your hurting child
• Eliminate debt
• Deal with verbal onslaughts
• Figure out what your emotions are telling you

Plus, you’ll develop meaningful friendships with other single parents, who, like you, are tired of
hectic mornings and chaotic evenings, the kids fighting, and a never-ending to-do list.

Take the guesswork out of parenting alone. Join our Single & Parenting group, not facing life
alone, but with support.