Parents in Virginia and across the country typically consider their children their first priority; their children’s welfare is one of the most important factors when it comes to making certain decisions. For some people, this could prompt them to stay in an unhappy relationship because of their concern over the impact that it will have on the children. Fortunately, there are steps that parents can take to help their children thrive in the aftermath of a divorce.
For example, one author who writes on family-related issues studied how children of divorce coped. Her research reportedly shows that children who spend approximately equal time with both parents in the aftermath of a divorce report better psychological health and greater self-esteem as adults. Additionally, there are other steps that can help ease children through the transition.
Perhaps, one of the most important keys to help children is through successful co-parenting. For this, parents must be willing to communicate with one another to create strategies that will ultimately lead to less stress for children. Not only can these discussions provide an opportunity for parents to troubleshoot aspects of their parenting plan; it is also a chance for children to see their parents working together to support their overall well-being.
Other ways to support children following a divorce is to take into consideration their age when creating a plan. Teenagers, for example, may want more flexibility in how their time is spent as their attention shifts to plans with friends. Despite these options to easing transitions, there is no denying that the end of marriage can be an emotionally difficult situation, and no two situations are the same. While equal parenting time can be beneficial in some situations, the best interests of the children are the most important factor in a parenting plan. As such, many people in Virginia want an experienced attorney on their side as they create such a plan.
