In this episode of the Children First Family Law podcast, Krista speaks with Dr. Don Gordon, a clinical child psychologist and the creator of “Children in Between,” a nationally recognized parenting program used in courts across the country.
But this conversation focuses on something newer: the companion course designed specifically for kids.
Helping Kids Name Big Feelings
Dr. Gordon explains how children often carry deep sadness, fear, or anger during divorce but lack the emotional vocabulary to share it. When parents can’t recognize those emotions, kids start to hide what they’re feeling. Over time, this silence affects everything from school behavior to mental health to adult relationships.
That’s why “Children in Between for Kids” doesn’t just teach children how to identify emotions. It also gives them practical tools to self-regulate and speak up. The 90-minute course includes interactive chapters hosted by teens, animations, and skills training that kids can revisit anytime.
Why Parents Matter More Than the Program
Although the course stands alone, it’s most potent when a parent watches it alongside the child. That’s when healing conversations start to happen, where a parent asks, “How are you doing?” and the child finally knows how to answer.
Dr. Gordon also shares insights into how divorce-related stress activates a parent’s fight-or-flight response. Without support or awareness, that stress spills over into conflict and undermines co-parenting efforts. His work helps parents pause, calm down, and re-engage from a place of compassion and control.
A Low-Cost, High-Impact Solution
The kids’ course costs $20 per household. It’s accessible, evidence-informed, and grounded in the belief that families want to do better. They just need tools that fit into their real lives.
Judges, attorneys, therapists, and child advocates can all play a role in recommending these kinds of programs before litigation escalates. Because when we help families early, we prevent unnecessary harm and create more space for healthy outcomes.
If you want to learn more about the Children First Family Law Podcast, check out www.childrenfirstfamilylaw.com/teaching-kids-to-cope-the-program-born-from-one-fathers-divorce-story-with-dr-don-gordon.