When Texas parents get divorced, their first thought should be the children and how they keep the kids’ lives as normal as possible. There are numerous steps that parents can take to try to minimize the impact that the divorce will have. Of course, it is impossible to completely shield them from the changes that they will face.
One of the most important things that parents need to maintain is structure. When the children are in each of their homes, there should still be expectations and rules for them that should be communicated ahead of time. Parents should not try to outdo each other when it comes to being the “fun parent.” Instead, the children need to live largely the same lives, albeit in two different homes.
Parents need to also make it clear to the children that they are always there to listen. In fact, parents should be proactive and reach out to the children to see if they need to talk. However, when they do talk to the kids, it is vital to never disparage the other parent because that forces the children to take sides. In order to be there for the children, parents need to take care of themselves so that they have the mental energy to provide support and direction to the kids while the divorce is proceeding.
While it is not easy to maintain steadiness for the children during this time, it is possible. An amicable divorce that stays out of court is one of the key factors in how the children reach since they can sense tension. A child custody lawyer could help their client navigate the divorce while hopefully bringing the case to a resolution that does not involve litigation. This will free one up to continue parenting their children.