When you have previously gotten to see your children every day, switching over to a child custody schedule with your ex can be difficult after a divorce. It is common, though, as the courts want most children to have a relationship with both parents. That means splitting up the time. There's just no way around it.
After a divorce, these custody tips can help
Tips for making child custody less stressful
For parents who a divorcing, minimizing the impact on the children becomes a priority. While many people tend to focus on the things that can go wrong during the child custody battle, there are many ways that the parents can encourage things to go right. One thing that you must do is give up on the "me versus them" line of thought.
How can I handle custody over the holidays?
If you are newly divorced, one learning curve to master is how to divvy up time with the kids over the winter holidays. Whether you celebrate Yule, Christmas, Hanukkah or Kwanzaa — or some combination thereof — you will want to have the kids with you to celebrate.
Children shouldn't be messengers or reporters for parents
Your children are stuck in the middle of your divorce, but there are ways that you can help them to adjust to the situation. The goal of the child custody arrangement is to provide them with a stable home life even if it is between two homes.
Help your children learn to be positive during your divorce
Divorces are often negative and messy. This can make your children feel uneasy about the future. It might help them to feel better about the direction they are going if you teach them how to have a positive outlook on life.
Behavioral problems can come with a divorce
Children can sometimes have behavioral challenges when their parents are going through a divorce. This is a problem that the adults must address right away because it can manifest into serious problems if it is left alone. There are several things that parents can do when they think that their child is suffering from negative impacts of the divorce.
Don't set unrealistic expectations in your parenting relationship
Going through a divorce is a big change for any adult, but the impacts are felt even more by parents who are trying to keep their children protected from the negative aspects of the situation. It is imperative that you think carefully about your expectations so that you aren't facing added stress by expecting certain things to happen.
Choose your negotiation methods for child custody carefully
Devising a workable parenting plan for your children can be rather difficult. One thing that can be hard for parents to understand is that they can't have their own way on everything. Taking the time to ascertain what is in the best interests of the children can be beneficial in these cases. There are some points that you will do well to remember as you go through this process.
An only child faces unique challenges during divorce
An only child is accustomed to having their parents at the home for support. When the adults decide to divorce, the support system is disrupted in a way that can have a negative impact on the child. Unlike kids who have siblings, only children don't have anyone else their age in the home who can walk the divorce journey with them. This makes it a more difficult transition for them.
Know how parenting plan terms impact children
Child custody orders outline what can and can't happen with the children. These orders tell you what you are responsible for and what you ex must do. For many parents, these agreements are made during a negotiation process that enables each one to have a say in the final decisions. We know that this might seem daunting now because you have to deal with your ex to get this done, but we are here to help you work through these matters.
