Some helpful tips to consider when parents divorce:
- Don’t make the children messengers, ask them too many questions about the other household, or put them in the position of being your confidante. Children have enough to deal with during a divorce.
- Keep schedules, rules, routines and expectations consistent between households.
- Encourage your child to have a positive relationship with both parents. Remember, children love and want relationships with both parents.
- Speak positively about the other parent, and encourage your children to enjoy the time they spend with them.
- Allow your child to contact the other parent when they miss them.
- Communicate important school and extracurricular dates so that both parents can choose to be there.
- Have regular contact with each other so that both parents are aware of how the child is doing.
- Avoid legal fights. Focus on your child’s needs and work to resolve issues.
- Encourage children to talk about their feelings; listen and validate how they are feeling about the changes in their life.