This course is currently unavailable. Once a new date is scheduled, I will ensure the information appears on this page.
7-Week Habit Rebuilding Course: When It Feels Like Your Ex Is Influencing Your Children – and You Don’t Want to Lose Them
DivorceOptimist.com’s mission is to minimize the impact of divorce or separation on children. The most severe impact is when a child loses contact with one of their parents – the goal is to contribute to reducing the number of such cases worldwide by 90%.
I have already contributed to this goal through individual sessions with parents. Supporting up to 12 more families in this course is another step on that journey.
Practical tips, emotional support, and inspiration over 7 weeks – with guidance from an experienced instructor. “How to become a kind and respected part of your children’s lives again after divorce or separation.”
What is the course about?
Many psychologists and experts warn, “Do not alienate children from the other parent; it hurts them deeply.” Unfortunately, this tactic is highly effective. If your child is in many countries a “classic custody arrangement” (every other weekend), it is easy for the other parent to influence the child to a point where they no longer want to see you.
This course is the third part of a series on divorce, aimed at fulfilling the mission: “To minimize the impact of divorce or separation on children.“ It helps parents navigate painful situations where they feel rejected by their children and shows ways to rebuild trust and relationships.
What can this course help you with?
- Better cope with feelings of rejection and increase the chances of restoring your relationship with your children.
- Find strategies to remain a vital part of your children’s lives, even if the other parent is uncooperative.
- Develop new, beneficial habits. While habits can take 3 to 6 weeks to form, we have seven weeks together to rebuild useful habits.
Whenever one parent manages to alienate children from the other parent, the children suffer immensely. I don’t want children to suffer unnecessarily.
Many parents who approach me face rejection from their own children. My clients are often uncertain about what happened because relationships before the divorce were fine. This course is based on theoretical knowledge supported by my own practice and that of my clients.
You don’t need to rely on the other parent’s cooperation. You can remain an important parent even against their wishes. If you don’t give up and have a strategy, while the other parent doesn’t, you stand a chance. There’s always a suitable solution to be found.
What practical advice and support will you get?
Whether you’re a mom or a dad, you’ll learn:
- How to effectively respond to your child’s rejection.
- How to strengthen relationships with your children, even in challenging situations.
- How to manage your own frustration and remain a stable parent.
- How to work sensitively and persistently on restoring contact.
- Inspiration from stories of parents who overcame similar situations—just like I did.
How does the course work?
- Duration: 7 weeks of intensive sessions with instructor support.
- Participants: Minimum 4 and Maximum 12 Participants.
- Platform: Signal (ensures maximum privacy and security).
- Format: Interactive online meetings where you can ask questions and discuss.
- Materials: Provided in electronic form.
- Flexibility: Participate from anywhere without traveling.
- Post-course support: Weekly access to a closed Signal group for sharing experiences and further support.
Course Structure
Week 1: Situation Analysis
- Map out your situation and understand how divorce or separation affects you and your children.
- Identify areas for improvement and recognize your strengths as a parent.
Week 2: Strengthening Parenting Skills
- Focus on becoming a better support for your child and strengthening your parental role.
- Creating and individual plan for building a stronger relationship with your child over time.
Week 3: Increasing Time with Your Child
- Discover strategies to spend more time with your child, if possible.
- Learn how to make shared moments meaningful and trust-building.
Week 4: Involving the Community
- Explore how to engage institutions, schools, or extended family for support.
- Learn how to present your situation effectively and seek assistance.
Week 5: Cooperating with the Other Parent
- Learn ways to communicate with the other parent, even in conflict.
- Explore paths to cooperation or consider external help when needed.
Week 6: Preparing for Conflict Situations
- Get ready for potential conflicts and stress, such as dealing with institutions.
- Learn how to clearly articulate your needs and arguments.
Week 7: Reflection and Future Planning
- Evaluate your progress and create a plan for the next steps to protect your relationship with your child.
- Focus on overcoming future challenges with effective strategies.
Dates and Schedule
Regular online live meetings (not pre-recorded videos):
Price: TBD
Divorce or separation often brings emotional, relational, and financial losses. Children are what remain of us, and our relationship with them is irreplaceable. This course is an investment in protecting what matters most: your relationship with your children.
Why is this investment worth it?
- Prevention is less costly: Rebuilding a relationship with a child after years of alienation is much harder than intervening early.
- Time and energy value: How many sleepless nights have you spent worrying about worsening relationships with your child? This course provides actionable steps to save time and energy.
- Comprehensive support: Practical strategies, group support, and individual consultations—all in one package.
What’s included?
- 7 weeks of intensive instructor support.
- Two personal consultations: (30 minutes at the start and end of the course).
- Group support: Share experiences with other parents in similar situations.
- Practical materials: Checklists and guides for immediate application.
Why Work With Me – Even Though I Am Neither a Therapist Nor a Lawyer?
I’ve been through it myself. I understand what you’re going through, and I can support you.
If you haven’t seen your children for weeks or months (and I don’t mean the usual summer holiday rotation), the situation rarely resolves itself. Research shows that 20–40% of children lose contact with one parent after separation. I can help you stay motivated for crucial 7 weeks – remind you why your children need you and why disappearing from their lives won’t help them. Because that disappearance might not be temporary.
This process follows certain patterns, which are often far from intuitive. Not every psychologist understands them. What helped me the most were books written by experts I never met. Yes, I had good psychologists supporting me, but without those books, I wouldn’t have made it.
There are many harmful myths. Many parents give up because they don’t know what’s happening. You might have started asking yourself:
➡️ Is this my fault?
➡️ Am I making it worse by trying to “force my child to see me”?
And all around you, there’s this tempting fog of advice:
➡️ “Just wait – your child will come back when they’re ready.”
➡️ “Be patient – they’ll see who truly cares about them.”
These ideas sound comforting – but sadly, they are often far from reality.
I know those inner doubts.
At the same time, I’ve studied the patterns of maintaining the parent-child bond – even when the other parent claims they are “protecting the children from you”.
You will likely need a lawyer. You may need a psychologist – divorce is not a normal life event; it’s a major source of stress.
And you can also benefit from someone who has been through this, came out well, and is now a relatively normal, empathetic person. Someone who will support you when you’re unsure what to do next.
Lecturer and Father: I am Aleš Pektor, a lecturer with both personal and professional experience in divorce. I went through a complex divorce during which the court granted me custody of my children – a rare outcome for fathers, not only in the Czech Republic but worldwide. While I achieved this outcome within the Czech legal system, I understand that parents in different countries operate under different laws. However, regardless of the legal framework, the key is to minimize children’s trauma and ensure both parents remain a vital part of their lives.
Universal Principles: Parent-child relationships seem to follow similar natural principles across the globe – whether in the USA, the UK, Australia, Canada, Africa, Europe, Asia, Americas, or basically anywhere. My focus is on helping parents protect and nurture these relationships, even in challenging situations. While I am not a lawyer or psychologist, I share strategies and approaches to help you better manage difficult situations and avoid common mistakes. I specialize in prevention – about 40% of parents turn to me before a divorce or breakup. I help them understand what’s ahead and avoid taking steps they might regret later. I also support parents who have lost contact with their children and help them rebuild relationships.
Global Perspective: Before focusing on supporting parents, I spent over four years as a Senior Affiliate Specialist at Avast, managing global affiliate programs for two major brands, Avast and AVG. This role taught me to navigate cultural differences and understand diverse perspectives, skills I now apply to helping parents from all over the world.
Empathy, Expertise and Support: I have experienced alienation as a father, and in order not to lose the relationship with my children, I exposed myself to challenging and painful situations I wish I could have avoided. It was emotionally hurtful and difficult, and I understand why many parents might feel compelled to give up. This experience has given me profound empathy for those facing similar struggles. I have devoted thousands of hours to education, not only during my own divorce but especially after it – working on system reform, meeting with individuals who can contribute to that change, consulting with clients, and writing a book.
My goal is to support you that your children come out of the divorce without trauma and maintain healthy relationships with both parents.
⚠️ Disclaimer:
I do not provide legal or psychological advice during the seminar. All information, tips, and recommendations shared in consultations, courses, webinars, seminars, or other activities are based on a combination of professional materials, client feedback, insights from relevant literature, videos, research, and my personal experience.
The goal is to support parents in maintaining contact with their children during and after separation or divorce, not to replace professional assistance from lawyers, psychologists, or other specialists.
The instructor does not assume responsibility for any actions or decisions taken by participants based on the provided information.
How to sign up?
This course is currently unavailable. Once a new date is scheduled, I will ensure the information appears on this page.
This course also makes a great gift for parents needing support! 😊