How to Protect Children During a Divorce
Divorce is a difficult situation for everyone involved, especially children. While divorce has been associated with a variety of problems for both children and teenagers, research has shown that it is often the fighting of the parents that has the biggest impact on children. Continue reading to learn our top tips for protecting your children during a divorce.
The Law Office of Donneshia M. Hall in NYC is here to assist you with the legal support and advice you’ll need in your divorce. No matter the reason for the divorce, it’s important to have a divorce attorney on your side. Contact us today to schedule a free 15-minute consultation, and get the help you deserve.
Make Your Child’s Emotional Health a Mutual Priority
No matter what the situation is between you and your ex, it’s vital to ensure that there is at least one thing you both agree on — the emotional health of your children. While you may not be married partners, you will always be child-raising partners, which means that you need to model maturity when you are in front of your children. Whenever you get mad at your ex, remind yourself that you need to say and do what is best for your child’s emotional health.
Avoid Fighting With Your Ex
This is probably much easier said than done. After all, if you could avoid fighting with your ex, you likely wouldn’t be pursuing a divorce. That being said, this decision needs to be made in the best interests of your child. Avoid fighting with your ex in front of or within earshot of your children. Both of you will always be part of your children’s lives, which means that you will have to find a way to get along during the times you are together.
Maintain Appropriate Boundaries
Maintain appropriate boundaries with your children in all of your discussions, not just about your ex. Make sure that conversations about finances, living situations, and any other big topics are held somewhere private. Don’t allow your children to take care of you, and never talk about your love life. Your child is going through a lot of upheaval during the divorce and they need you to be a source of stability in their life.
Keep Children Out of Relationship With Ex
No matter how you feel about your ex, it is vital that you never say negative things about him or her to your children. Your child is a part of each of you, so when you criticize their other parent, you are essentially criticizing a part of them. Don’t ask your children to relay messages for you. While this might seem innocent, you are turning your child into a pawn in a game between you and your ex. This is no game and it will have lasting negative effects on their well-being.
Maintain Consistency
More than anything else, maintaining consistency with routines, family rituals, and other schedules will be one of the most important things you can do to protect your child during this time. It’s important that they don’t feel as though every single thing in their life is changing.
Your Divorce Lawyer in New York
At The Law Office of Donneshia M. Hall in NYC, we’re here to help you through this difficult time. We provide the legal help and advice you need each step of the way. Contact our team today to schedule a free 15-minute consultation.