Beyond the Blue Lights: Navigating Divorce as a Police Officer and Parent

I’m hooked on the DCI Jack Logan books by JD Kirk.

In ‘Here Lie The Dead’ Detective Sergeant Hamza Khaled is pondering taking an IT job within the police and argues with DC Tyler Neish about why he’s so tempted,

‘I’ve seen it happen to dozens of officers. We both have. Break-ups. Divorces. The job does that. We’ve seen it. Over and over and over again.   

‘I love the job I do but is it worth my relationship with my wife & daughter?’

‘No it isn’t. Nothing is’

Divorce can be a challenging time for families, especially for parents who are trying to navigate co-parenting after a separation.

Due to the stressful nature of their jobs, divorce rates in the police force are more than double the average.

Parent coaching can be a valuable resource for divorcing police officers, offering numerous benefits such as:

Improved communication skills: Parent coaching can help divorcing police officers develop better communication skills, which can be especially important in co-parenting situations. Effective communication can help prevent misunderstandings and reduce conflict between parents.

Coping strategies: Divorce can be an emotionally taxing experience for both parents and children. Parent coaching can provide coping strategies to help divorcing police officers manage stress, anxiety, and other difficult emotions associated with the divorce process.

Co-parenting skills: Divorcing police officers can benefit from learning co-parenting skills, such as how to negotiate with an ex-spouse and how to establish a parenting plan that works for everyone involved. Co-parenting skills can help parents avoid conflict and work together to provide a stable and nurturing environment for their children.

Better decision-making: Parent coaching can help divorcing police officers make informed decisions about their children’s well-being. This includes decisions related to education, health care, and other important matters. Parent coaching can also help parents navigate complex legal and financial issues related to divorce.

Enhanced relationships: Parent coaching can help divorcing police officers improve their relationships with their children. By learning effective parenting strategies and communication skills, parents can strengthen their bonds with their children and build a positive and healthy co-parenting relationship.

Parent  coaching can provide divorcing police officers with the tools and strategies they need to navigate the divorce process and create a stable and nurturing co-parenting relationship for their children.

I have supported many parents on the frontline, from the police, armed forces, firemen, paramedics and many doctors working in the NHS.

Here are my coaching programmes to support you and your family through divorce