A stable environment is crucial for children, especially in the aftermath of a divorce. Going between two households for visitation can increase anxiety and uncertainty, so you and your co-parent should collaborate to create consistent routines and rules for your children. Regardless of which parent your children spend time with, your children should feel safe and know what to expect.
Aiming for Stability
Predictable routines can help establish security for children during an already stressful time in their lives. Your children likely never expected your marriage to end and the aftermath of the divorce will undoubtedly fill them with doubts about the future. So much about your children’s lives will change, which is why it is essential to do what you can to give them routines they can rely on.
These questions can help you and your co-parent create consistent routines and rules for your children:
- What issues are most important to you?
- What issues are you willing to be more flexible on?
- How will you reward good behavior?
- What are the consequences of disobedience?
- What are the strengths of this approach?
- What are the foreseeable weaknesses or faults of this approach?
- How will you communicate these rules to your children?
- Should one parent handle certain issues?
You might not get everything right the first time, so you and your former spouse should be open to revisiting this issue to work out the obstacles you encounter. Keep in mind that your children are not the only ones who will benefit from establishing consistent routines. Once you get settled into your new routine, you will likely experience less tension in your co-parenting relationship since there will be fewer disagreements over parenting styles.
Contact Us to Set Up a Consultation with an Experienced Family Law Attorney Today!
A family’s problems do not end with a divorce and some of the obstacles you encounter may continue to require legal representation. At Fait & DiLima, LLP, our family law team is backed by more than 50 years of collective legal experience. You can rely on our knowledgeable attorneys to provide skilled and compassionate legal support, so you can overcome the legal issues you are facing.
Do not hesitate to reach out to our legal team today. Call our law office today at (301) 251-0100 to set up an initial case review with one of our attorneys and learn more about our services.
