When divorce enters the picture, the first thing that most parents in California think about is how it will affect the children. Will the kids be okay? Will the divorce change the way they feel about their parents? Will they grow up wishing their parents had stayed together? These are just a few of the questions parents ask as they move forward with their divorce.
It is wise to wonder about these things. If you get too caught up in your own pain and suffering, it is easy to lose sight of the effect that divorce can have on children. This is especially so when your kids are good at hiding their feelings or pretending everything is fine when it is not.
While there is no one solution to helping your kids cope with divorce, there are ways that parents can help foster their children's sense of security and harmony. A good first step is reminding yourself that the children's well-being is a top priority at all times. Here are a few tips other parents have used with success.
- Maintain stable routines and schedules to ease the transition.
- If peaceful face-to-face discussions with your co-parent are not possible, consider using emails to exchange important information.
- Be quick to dole out extra helpings of love and companionship.
- Strive to avoid bad-mouthing your co-parent in front of the kids.
Finally, do not be hard on yourself about your divorce as this could have a negative effect on the kids. It is also a good idea to use the advice a family law attorney offers. This is a great way to ensure that your divorce proceeds as smoothly and as quickly as possible.
Source: Simply Family Magazine, "6 ways to help your kids thrive after divorce," Mason Brown, accessed Dec. 28, 2017