Banana Splits- This group is intended to work with kids going through family changes. The group emphasis that the child has no fault in a parents separation or divorce. We also discuss ways to cope with the changes they may be going through. Most importantly we build a support group to help kids realize they are not alone in this situation, many kids have gone through a parent's divorce.
Week 1-
Week 2-
Week 3-
Week 4-
Week 5-
Week 6-
Week 7-
Week 1-
- Group rules
- Decorate 'get to know you' folders
- Discuss the challenges each child is facing when is comes to divorce or separation (I base the rest of the group off of this conversation. Below you will find a generic sample of what I might do.)
Week 2-
- Decorate a paper banana- discuss the similarities and differences of each banana.
- Talk about having parents who are divorces or going through a separation- what are the good and bad things about being in 2 homes.
Week 3-
- Discuss worries we have about the divorce or separation and where we feel these worries.
- Color butterflies and write our worries on them (butterflies in our tummies).
Week 4-
- Read When The Fight by Kathryn White
- Discuss what we feel when our parents fight. Reinforce that parents still love them even if they are not getting along.
Week 5-
- Read Loon Summer by Barbara Santucci
- Discuss how families change. Allow students who have more experience with divorce explain how they have dealt with those changes.
Week 6-
- Watch Howard Learns About Mud and Rainbows (www.wedolisten.org)
- Discuss the fact that children do not cause the divorce of the parents.
Week 7-
- Create a feel better box. Students can put anything that will cheer them up in the box (example: pictures, cds, art supplies, worry stones).
- Close the group