5 Tips for Navigating a Divorce With Kids
Divorce is one of the most stressful parts of life for both parents and children.
Divorce completely alters your life, routines, and overall mental state. However, if you have children and you believe divorce is the only option, there are some things that you must do for the health and stability of your kids.
Here are some tips to help parents navigate a divorce when children are in the equation.
1) Never Let Children Hear Arguments
One key piece of advice when parents are divorcing is never letting the children hear the arguments or negotiations. This is often the best advice that lawyers give their clients, but unfortunately, only sometimes followed.
When children hear arguments about divorce, they often think it’s their fault and that they could prevent it. Therefore, parents need to keep their children away from these fights and arguments; instead, they should sit with them and discuss their plans only after they are finalized.
2) Talk To Children About Their Feelings
Every child has feelings about their parents and the current situation. Whether your child is 2 or 15, you must make yourself available to talk to them about their feelings. Let your children feel like their voice is heard, and offer a shoulder to cry on and an ear to listen.
Also, provide professional counseling to your child if they struggle with coping.
3) Stick to Custody Arraignments
Both parents must stick to custody arraignments. Keeping to the plan set is ideal for parents and helps provide children stability and predictability.
The plans may need to be altered due to life’s unforeseen events, but try to minimize this as much as possible and arrange your schedule to meet the children’s needs.
4) Do Not Doubt Your Ex
While you and your ex may not have made the best partners in a romantic relationship, it’s essential that you never openly doubt each other when it comes to co-parenting. You should always trust your ex to discipline, reward, and care for your child just like you would. Doubting your ex will only cause further problems, so try to give them the benefit of the doubt.
5) Keep Each Other Informed
A co-parenting relationship is like a business relationship. It would be best if you kept emotion out of decisions and communications. Instead, talk to each other about the essential parts of the day, keep an open line of communication, and stick to the plans. This can help keep your children happy and ensure you do what is best for them.
Divorce is never easy, but it may be the best option for all parties involved. For example, a divorce may be the best possible outcome when parents exhibit a toxic relationship. These navigating divorce with kids tips can help make divorce easier and ensure your children are set up for success.
Get Help Navigating Your Divorce
If you are seeking divorce and need to speak with an expert divorce attorney, contact the family law office of Dalena & Bosch. Our experienced divorce lawyers have decades of experience helping people seeking a divorce just like you. Though we are highly professional, always aiming to achieve the best results, we maintain our compassion and utmost feelings for all our divorce clients.
Contact our family law office, Dalena & Bosch, in Madison, New Jersey, Morris County, today.