The divorce process comes with plenty of moving parts. From dividing your assets to ending a chapter in your life, you will have a lot on your plate. But, as a parent, it’s essential to consider the emotions and well-being of your children as you transition into a new era.
It’s important to think of ways you can continue to prioritize your little ones as your family moves through the difficulties of a divorce. It can be helpful to use honesty and create a well-thought-out plan for how you will split parental duties with your ex.
Be an open book
At some point, you and your ex will have a solid plan for what each of your living situations will look like after divorce. When you believe the time is right — not too early in the planning stages and not right before move-out day — it’s crucial to let your children know that you are moving forward with a divorce.
Having both parents present when you break the news will help your children get a full scope of your decision to separate. Seeing you sit together may also strengthen any promises you make to continue to work together to raise them. You can provide your child comfort by providing honest answers to any questions that may arise, during and after the initial conversation.
Create a detailed parenting plan
Devising a detailed parenting plan that highlights which days of each month and year your children will spend with each parent will help give parents and children peace of mind. Consider taking your plan a step further by:
- Including rules and details for when and where child pick-ups and drop-offs will take place
- Listing how you will communicate about all child-related needs and schedule changes
- Thinking about daily needs, like where your child will go to school and get medical care
- Planning long-term events, like birthdays, holidays and vacations
When your plan has minimal gaps, then you can focus more on the day-to-day needs of your child. Then, in turn, your children will feel your support and guidance from the start of the transition.
It’s worth noting that there isn’t a one size fits all plan when it comes to divorce. But keeping your children at the heart of each decision and planning session may provide them with a greater sense of security further down the road.