If you are a parent going through separation or divorce, you are not alone. There were around 56,000 divorces in Australia in 2021, and many of these couples have children aged 12-25. Some separations occur with little or no conflict, while others involve high levels of conflict and/or abuse or family violence. Some need to be heard in the Family Court, Criminal Court or both. Court processes can take a long time and there can be legal requirements to maintain silence about criminal matters, making it harder to get much needed support. See below for support with family violence and family law issues. If you are a separating or divorcing parent, here are some ideas for what you can do to help your young person. Let your young person know you love them. Reassure them that the separation is not their fault. Even if you feel the other parent has behaved badly, respect that your young person might still feel love for them. Understand that your young person might be angry or blame you for what they are going through. Although this can feel unfair, try not to take it to heart. Don’t over-react or try to justify yourself. Be patient with your young person as they adjust. You will be adjusting too, and are likely to have your strong feelings at this time, such as anger, relief, sadness, worry or fear. Look for your own supports rather than relying on your young person for emotional support. Take responsibility for making changes to meet your young person’s needs. This lets your young person know you have heard their concerns and are prepared to do what you can to help. Explore with your young person what ‘home’ means to them and how you might create this environment together. It is usually more about belonging and feeling comfortable than the physical house or apartment itself. For Aboriginal and Torres Strait islander young people, develop a cultural parenting plan to support their ongoing cultural connection and guidance. Encourage the young person’s friendships and activities. Wherever possible, keep consistent routines. Where you can, involve your young person in the day-to-day decisions that affect their life. This can give them a sense of some control. Finally, find ways for you and your young person to do fun things together and with other family and community!