Parental Guidance: Support for kids during a divorce

Q. Can you tell me about local support groups for children whose parents are divorcing?

A. A variety of organizations run such programs, from schools to social work organizations to places of worship. Many times, children won't talk to their parents about how they're feeling and may turn to friends their age who may not give them the best advice. In an official support group, adults facilitate children's feelings about seeing one parent less and offer ways to deal with anger, says Margaret Peterson, coordinator of the Rainbow Program at St. Mary's Roman Catholic Church of East Islip.

"You head off a lot of problems when you address the issue directly. This is a safe environment for children to share their feelings with other children their own age who are going through similar circumstances," Peterson says.

In the Rainbow Program, for instance, children ages 5 to 13 are broken into groups of no more than eight, with no more than a two-year age spread in the group. An adult support group for their parents is offered simultaneously. A new eight-week group begins Tuesday from 6:30 to 7:30 p.m. at the church, 20 Harrison Ave., East Islip, 631-581-7070, ext. 129. It's $15 per child or $25 per family. Preregistration and an interview is required. The program is open to all faiths.

Some local districts offer a school-based support group called Banana Splits.