Ending a Missouri marriage can be as difficult for young children as it is for their parents. However, healthy co-parenting may make the experience easier for all parties involved. Here are a couple of tips for parents who are going through divorce to work collaboratively and prioritize their children’s needs.
How to make divorce simpler for the kids
Parents going through divorce should avoid criticizing the other party when the children are present. They should ideally speak directly if they have an issue with each other. When children hear a parent bash the other one, they may begin to dislike and resent both.
Another way to make things easier for young children is to arrange for them to talk with a therapist. This will hopefully encourage the children to discuss their feelings about the divorce, which may help them process their feelings more effectively. Depending on the ages of the kids, it may make sense to suggest counseling to the children without forcing it on them if they are not ready.
How an attorney can help
A family law attorney in Missouri can help a client navigate the co-parenting process confidently. The attorney can help create a parenting plan that meets the needs of the client and reflects the children’s best interests. A comprehensive plan will outline where the children will live, how visitation will be handled, who will pay child support and in what amount. The attorney will focus on protecting the client’s rights during each stage of the divorce proceedings.
