Welcome to Duo Divorce online courseWhen you have decided to end your relationship and file for a divorce, both partners usually have dozens of questions, not to mention feel confusion, sadness, anger, relief, fear and all different kinds of emotions. These are all a natural part of the process of getting a divorce as it ultimately changes the course of your life - whether you initiated it or not.
Intercultural divorce or separation can bring up unexpected issues for both. While the situation is usually not easy for either, partners from abroad might encounter additional problems such as the language barrier, unfamiliar bureaucratic procedures and the question whether they can and want to stay in Finland after the divorce. Divorcing couples need to find out answers to practical questions, but also start to deal with long term issues and emotions like how you or your children will cope. Familia ry has developed this self-study online course in English to help you find the first steps forward and to give some peer support in dealing with your intercultural divorce in Finland. Make sure you have looked into all means of help and are sure that there is no other solution. Don't rush into it. But when you do start it, don't let anybody else's opinions or pressure make you change your mind. Try to stay as good friends as possible if you have children. Never use the children as weapons against the other, support fully that the children keep all contacts with both families and both cultures. HOW TO USE THIS ONLINE COURSEThe very beginning of a divorce process is often difficult and you might feel you are in a haze. The aim of this self-study course is to give you tools for the practical information needed, help for self-reflection, show some peer support - and offer links and organisations to help you more, while also having the intercultural aspect in mind.
This course is divided into 5 different themes, most containing an introduction to the theme, quotes from people who have experienced an intercultural divorce, videos to deepen the theme or give examples, links for more information and questions for you to ponder.
The themes are; 1. Getting a divorce in Finland What do I need to know about the practical and factual sides of divorce in Finland? This theme explains shortly the legal prodecure and answers practical questions of different sides of how to get a divorce as well as gives links where you can find more information and help. 2. Coping with divorce - How to do it? How do I cope with divorce emotionally? Divorce changes your life permanently and often causes many hurdles. This theme discusses how to take the first steps into the new direction and your well-being. 3. Children’s wellbeing How will children cope with divorce? How can I support my child? As a parent there are always little hearts involved that need a lot of caring during and after divorce. 4. Parenting after the divorce How do I share parenting and keep both cultures in the children’s lives? Co-parenting and raising an intercultural child demand often a lot of work, patience and information. 5. Finding myself again When most of the changing emotions and hurdles of a divorce are dealt with, it is time to look positively into the future. How do I find myself again and be confident? How is dating after divorce? The last section of the course lists organizations and websites where you can find more help and support to get through your divorce. This course is delveloped with gathering information from different online sources: Familia ry, Terveyden ja hyvinvoinnin laitos, Mannerheimin lastensuojeluliitto, Ensi- ja turvakotien liitto, Kaapatut lapset ry, Väestöliitto, Helpguide.org, Helsingin kaupunki, apuaeroon.fi, Infofinland, Mental Health America, Mielenterveystalo. Youtube-videos are mostly gathered to have universal examples in English so most of them are not from Finland. Quotes have been gathered from a questionnaire for divorced intercultural families here in Finland in 2021 by Familia ry. |
QUICK LINKS TO THE COURSE THEMES
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Familia on johtava kahden kulttuurin perheiden asiantuntija ja edunvalvoja Familia is the leading expert and advocate of intercultural families |
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