It is important for Louisiana parents who are going through a divorce to prioritize the well-being of their children. This means striving to reduce conflict and focusing on what is best for the kids.
Reasons for a child-centered divorce
Divorce is usually hard for kids as well as adults, but having a child-centered divorce can make the process less difficult for everyone. Making an effort to stay out of court can keep both conflict and expenses down. However, you can only control your own actions and not those of the other parent. Whether or not they are creating more difficult conditions, there are additional things you can do on your own to help keep the divorce child-centered.
Steps to take
Sometimes, parents who are upset about a divorce can make mistakes such as sharing too much with their children or trying to get back at the other parent. In a child-centered divorce, you would turn to friends or a professional, such as a therapist, to talk about your feelings rather than burdening your children with them. While you can answer their questions about the divorce in a way that is appropriate to their age, you should avoid going into too much detail or blaming the other parent. This can be difficult, especially when the other parent is not observing the same rules, but over time, your children will gain a sense of stability from your calm and consistent approach.
Take your time
Another mistake that parents can make is rushing through the divorce to get it over with or prolonging it as they try to get concessions from the other person. You should ensure that you hammer out the necessary details for child custody, support, and other issues, but you should also try to get through the process efficiently.
Let your children talk to you about their feelings, and understand that sometimes, they may act out in ways that do not appear directly related to the divorce but are. Focusing on their best interests can help ensure everyone emerges healthy when it is over.