When California parents of young children decide to divorce, they may experience significant emotional conflict. It is important for them to realize that their divorce is affecting their children as well. Divorcing parents should try to set aside their conflicts with each other so that they can help their children process the situation.
When parents get divorced, the lives of the children radically change. They may need structure and consistency so that they feel like their lives are normal again. If their parents are constantly fighting, it can be highly stressful for the children, making them depressed or anxious. Parents should prioritize their children’s needs above all of their conflicts and set aside their differences so that they can effectively co-parent their children.
One way that parents can help children feel more secure is by making consistent rules in both of their houses. They may want to work out what their rules will be so that the children have the same expectations wherever they are. Parents may want to come to agreements about many different things, including the type of discipline that will be used, what time the children will go to bed, how much time they will be allowed to play video games and other matters.
In some cases, parents may be able to negotiate full child custody and visitation agreements on their own. If a parent is having trouble reaching an agreement with the other parent, an experienced family law attorney may help. Attorneys may be able to help their clients to set aside their emotions so that the situation can be approached rationally. They may also advocate for their clients while negotiating with the other parents. It is important for parents to realize that they will need to be able to work together in the best interests of their children for years to come.