The Oprah Winfrey Show Season 14 Episode 82 Divorce workshop for children
The Oprah Winfrey Show season 14 episode 82 is titled "Divorce Workshop for Children". As the title suggests, the episode focuses on the effects of divorce on children and aims to provide parents with strategies to help their children navigate through this difficult time.
The show begins with Oprah introducing the topic and highlighting the high divorce rate in the United States. She explains that divorce can be one of the most traumatic experiences in a child's life and that parents often struggle to know how to support their children through the process.
The first guest on the show is Dr. Judith Wallerstein, a renowned psychologist who has studied the effects of divorce on children for over 25 years. Dr. Wallerstein explains that children often feel a sense of loss and disorientation when their parents divorce. They may blame themselves or feel as though they have been abandoned. Dr. Wallerstein stresses the importance of parents being open and honest with their children about the divorce and helping them to understand that it is not their fault.
Oprah then introduces a group of children whose parents have recently divorced. The children range in age from 6 to 12 and share their experiences of the divorce. They talk about the different emotions they have felt, such as sadness, anger, and confusion. They also discuss some of the ways in which their parents have helped them to cope, such as talking openly about the divorce and reassuring them that they are loved.
The next guest on the show is Dr. JoAnne Pedro-Carroll, a clinical psychologist and author of the book "Putting Children First: Proven Parenting Strategies for Helping Children Thrive Through Divorce". Dr. Pedro-Carroll emphasizes the importance of keeping a child's routine as consistent as possible during a divorce. This includes maintaining regular schedules for meals, homework, and extracurricular activities. She also stresses the importance of maintaining a positive relationship with the other parent and avoiding placing children in the middle of conflicts.
To further explore the different ways in which children can be supported during a divorce, Oprah then introduces a panel of experts who have developed a divorce workshop specifically for children. The panel includes school counselors, child psychologists, and family law attorneys. They discuss some of the ways in which the workshop can help children, such as providing them with a safe space to share their feelings and connecting them with other children who are going through similar experiences.
The show ends with Oprah summarizing some of the key takeaways from the discussion. She encourages parents to be honest with their children about the divorce, to maintain a consistent routine, and to seek support if needed. She also emphasizes the importance of putting children's needs first and avoiding putting them in the middle of conflicts.
Overall, "Divorce Workshop for Children" is a sensitive and informative episode that provides parents with valuable insights into how they can support their children during a divorce. It highlights some of the common emotions and experiences that children may go through and offers practical strategies for helping them to cope.