Parents in Illinois might worry about how divorce will affect their children. While a family separation can be challenging, it is possible to build a child’s resilience and help them through the process.
The first step for parents is to try to maintain as much consistency as possible with the children. The changes from divorce can be overwhelming, but keeping other parts of the children’s lives stable can help them process these changes. If parents agree on expectations even if they have different approaches to parenting, they can help maintain this stability. Ex-spouses should try to avoid criticizing each other’s decisions and putting the kids in the middle of a conflict.
During a divorce, children may need reassurance that their parents will continue to love them and that they are not the reason for the separation. Parents should try to answer their questions with honesty, but in some cases, it may not be appropriate to reveal everything. They may simply need to tell children that although the parents cannot live together any longer, the children are still loved.
Some parents who live far away may struggle to stay connected with their children. In this case, they might try to share activities such as watching the same show. If one parent is uninvolved with the child, the other parent should still refrain from openly criticizing that parent.
Parents can either negotiate an agreement for child custody and visitation, or they can go to court. A custody battle could make it more difficult to build a healthy co-parenting relationship afterward. In some cases, however, litigation might be necessary if the other parent will not cooperate. As part of the agreement, parents should remember to include plans for holidays and vacations. An attorney can help a soon-to-be ex create a fair parenting agreement.