Not only will divorce change your life in many ways, but it will also do the same to your children. Fortunately, with the right plan in place, you’re able to help your children through this difficult time.
There are many steps you can take to help your children get through the early stages of divorce, with these five among the most powerful:
- Show your love. Let your child know that you love them. Just the same, let them know that their other parent is there for them as well. If you do nothing else, let it be this.
- Be honest. There’s no good reason to lie about your divorce or the future, as the truth will eventually come out. Tell your children what they need to know in an honest manner.
- Stick to a schedule. Divorce is difficult enough. You don’t want to make it worse by jumping from one parenting or custody schedule to the next. Giving your children structure during divorce is vital.
- Encourage communication. You need to communicate with your children before, during and after your divorce. You’re not finished after one conversation.
- Tweak schedules in the future. The visitation schedule you use today doesn’t have to be the same as the one you rely on next year. As long as you and the other parent are on the same page, you can always settle on a schedule that’s best for your children.
If you continue to run into child custody related issues, it may be time to learn more about your legal rights and the steps you can take to “reset” your situation.