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Getting divorced is one of the most stressful things you can experience. Although divorce is extremely exhausting and emotionally taxing on adults, it can be even harder on our kids. It’s easy for children to feel a sense of abandonment when their parents get divorced—and the negative impact can follow them well into adulthood.
Thankfully, Divorce Coach NJ can help you navigate this messy situation and ensure the well-being of your kids remains a top priority. Here are some of our best tips!
Put Your Children First
As you navigate your divorce, remember that your children and their needs are more important than the division of marital property or how much alimony you will have to pay or receive. A great divorce consultant can help you manage these financial issues so you can give your kids the attention they need right now.
One way to reduce the impact on your kids is to keep them away from conflict. Studies show that exposure to long-term conflict can hurt children’s mental health, academic performance, self-esteem, and success in future relationships. Don’t put your kids in the center of your arguments or bad-talk the other parent behind their back.
Creating a sense of stability at home can help your children better cope with your divorce. Make sure your home feels like a safe, healthy, and stress-free oasis where your kids can escape from their stressors. Achieving this may be as simple as doing some cleaning! For example, Redfin suggests decluttering, opening the curtains to let in natural light, and incorporating air-purifying plants into your home décor.
Keep Your Kids in the Loop
Protecting your kids from conflict doesn’t mean keeping them in the dark. Of course, talking to kids about divorce is going to be tough. Today’s Parent suggests a different communication approach for kids of varying ages. For example, preschoolers have a very limited ability to understand cause and effect or think about the future. Offer concrete explanations regarding your child custody arrangements and be prepared to answer questions with simple, age-appropriate language.
Make a Co-Parenting Plan
Co-parenting isn’t easy, but it’s essential for the long-term well-being of your children. Get together with your ex-spouse and come up with a co-parenting plan that works for both of you. Consider how you are going to split up your parenting schedule, handle children’s expenses, and enforce rules. Emotions can easily complicate your co-parenting plan, so try to keep your feelings out of it. Of course, this will be easier in a low conflict divorce, but it really is possible to co-parent with someone you hate. If it helps, think of this as a business relationship!
No amount of planning will make divorce easy for you or your kids. While this transition is bound to feel rocky, your family will get through it! Working with a divorce consultant, like Divorce Coach NJ, can take a lot of weight off your shoulders and help you navigate your divorce without sacrificing the wellbeing of you or your children. Schedule a call today so we can get in touch!