Divorce is rough on everyone involved. However, as emotionally draining as it can be for the couple, there often is the realization that it is the right thing to do, and a new beginning is can be a good thing. For the most part, kids want their parents to stay together and work things out. A joint effort by the couple to make their children’s needs paramount can help the kids cope with the divorce and get on with their lives.
Marriage and family counselors emphasize the importance of developing resilient children. As unpleasant as divorce may be, especially for younger kids, it is part of life, and the sooner a child learns to handle challenges that come along the better. Since the kids take their cues from their parents, there are specific things a divorcing parent should focus on.
It is important to reinforce that the divorce was not the kids’ fault, and they are still loved by both parents. Maintaining the same routine or establishing a new one as soon as possible is important. With two separate households, this can be challenging, but not impossible. Perhaps most importantly, each parent should be respectful of the other one.
Important legal matters are at issue in a divorce with child custody, child support and the formulation of a parenting plan chief among them. A divorce settlement that can be achieved with the least amount of acrimony is in everyone’s best interests. Divorce mediation can help the parties work towards a true collaborative divorce. A family law attorney can be instrumental in crafting a mutually agreeable settlement that respects the rights and responsibilities of all the parties.