What types of problems did the kids face before their parents separated or divorced?
Their parents fought a lot; there was a lot of yelling in the house; one boy had a father who was using drugs

How did the kids' living situations change after the divorces?
The kids had to deal with seeing one parent a lot less often; they often talked with the parent by phone or got together only on weekends; they found themselves moving to a new home or moving between two homes

How did having parents that lived in separate homes make things difficult for the kids?
It was sometimes difficult making a schedule for visits; one girl had to carry her things from one house to another; friends often did not understand what was going on

In what ways did life improve after divorce?
One boy’s grades improved because his mother gave better advice than his father had

How do groups like Banana Splits help kids cope with divorce?
They can learn from talking to kids who have been through the same experiences; they can get advice from kids in the same situation; they can become friends with the group counselors or other group members

What do the kids like about the group therapy meetings?
They don’t have to talk if they don’t want to; they can listen to what others have to say; they can feel better by helping others; they can meet people they wouldn’t meet in their school or neighborhood and make friends with them

Further Discussion:
If your parents divorced; would you want to join a group like Banana Splits? What about the group would be most helpful? What would be least helpful?

Further Discussion:
Do you think that divorce is the worst thing that can happen to a kid; or is it sometimes worse for parents to stay married? Why? Can you think of specific examples of when parents should stay together; and when they should divorce?

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