14 Critical Issues to Discuss With Moms

• Discussions with staff and practitioners that work with mothers, fathers, and families during our more than 20 years providing programs, resources, training, and technical assistance
• The results of a survey of more than 350 staff and practitioners we conducted in December 2014 in which we asked them to identify the most critical topics to address in helping mothers encourage father involvement in the lives of children.

How could you use this guide?

14 Critical Issues to Discuss with Moms is a guide to help staff in direct service organizations (think volunteers, coaches, and counselors) confidently work with moms of any race, ethnicity, or socioeconomic background to improve the relationship with the father of their children. 

The issues covered in this resource are especially helpful for working with custodial mothers who do not live with the father of their children (i.e. he is non-residential and non-custodial), but you will find it is helpful regardless of the couples’ romantic status and living arrangements. The content carefully focuses on what moms can control in the relationship with the father of their children.

As for layout, the guide covers each topic in two to four pages. Each session contains background information on the topic and several important factors to keep in mind when working with mothers, followed by key learning objectives and questions that mothers should ask themselves based on the topic and the key learning objective.

While the guide addresses working with mothers one on one, you can apply the content to working with mothers in small and large-group settings. You can also use it to design lectures, workshops, seminars, or other activities for mothers.