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If you and your spouse are on the same page about getting a divorce, there’s often one primary concern you both share: how this change to the family will effect your children.
Outside of key legal issues like child support and child custody in your Florida divorce, how you and your former spouse choose to handle the situation is important for supporting your children through this challenging time.
Children may always be impacted by their parents’ decision to get divorced. But thankfully, there are steps you can take to make this process easier.
Some children will be more capable of handling the dramatic changes in their lives than others, but it is just as important to consider their needs and emotions as you move through this process.
Both spouses may be reeling from the emotional repercussions of choosing to get divorced. However, when parties can work together for the best interests of the children, the children may benefit in numerous ways.
Since many things are changing in your child’s life, there are several steps that you can follow in order to protect your child’s best interests and to maintain as cooperative a relationship as possible with the other parent.
Make Sure to Maintain as Much Stability as Possible
After deciding to get divorced, it’s very likely that your spouse will move to another location and you may have to figure out new custody arrangements.
Your children may even need to change schools. To the best extent that you can, make sure to reinforce stability in their lives where possible.
For example, making sure they can play on the same sports teams and participate in the same extracurricular activities should be a priority.
Not only do these activities help to promote their own healing and social well-being, but it’s a great way to keep some stability in their lives when it seems as though so much else is changing.
Avoid Arguing in Front of the Children
Whether it’s in person or over the phone, steer clear of any arguments with your former spouse.
Children do not need to witness this and may even begin to feel that they are the cause of the problems, particularly if the arguments are about child custody and visitation. Try to keep your conversations with your former spouse civil.
There’s no doubt that emotions will be running high between both spouses, especially during this initial adjustment period but the last thing your children need to see is any further tension and drama.
This only serves to make the situation worse and to make children feel as though they need to choose a side.
Recognize When Children’s Adjustment Needs Further Intervention
You may see many different aspects of your child’s behavior that indicate that he or she is struggling with a divorce after you and your spouse have decided to move forward with one.
For example, their grades might slip in school or you might hear reports from teachers and extracurricular activities that your children are having trouble paying attention.
These are issues that you can all address effectively when you know about them. However, if you start noticing more severe problems that indicate that your child is having major issues adjusting to the changes, be willing to call in a professional.
Also Read : What is Parent and Child Timesharing?
A therapist, for example, could be a valuable resource to call upon to give your children a safe space where they can talk about their own feelings free of being concerned about you or your former spouse’s input.
Although many children will definitely show some emotional adjustments and difficulties as they adjust to a divorce, you can do your part by recognizing when these situations have escalated to a more serious level.
If you notice that your child is having a lot of trouble sleeping or eating, for example, you may want to delve deeper and figure out what’s going on.
Promoting a safe space for your child to share his or her feelings can certainly start in the home, but if your child needs advanced intervention, this is a good time to make an appointment with an outside professional.
Have you recently come to the conclusion that divorce is right for your family? Make sure you are prepared for what to expect in the Florida courts: make use of an initial consultation with a family lawyer to get a full perspective on the process.
Speak with a Knowledgeable Divorce Attorney
A divorce attorney can help you identify the major legal issues in your case and answer some of the most common questions you’re likely to have about ending your marriage.
If you think you may be able to cooperate with your former spouse on key divorce issues, mediation might be the best way to determine custody. Learn more here: https://www.carolanfamilylaw.com/steps-in-the-child-custody-mediation-process/
