Divorce is a trying time for everyone involved. For the children, one of the most difficult things to deal with is having to learn how to live in two separate homes. Fortunately, parents can help their children adjust.
As you’re going through the process with your children, make sure that you take your cues from how they’re handling things. Talking to them and watching how they’re reacting to the changes may help you determine where you need to focus your attention.
Set the rules early
Some parents think that they should be easy on the kids, but this can set a bad precedent. Instead, set the ground rules from the start so there isn’t any room for them to think that they can do whatever they want. It may help if you and your ex can work as a parenting team to set joint rules that apply through both homes.
Remember to have fun
Having fun can help to ease the transition into having two homes. As you’re setting up your home, think about how you can encourage fun and embrace your child’s unique traits. For example, if your child loves to paint, be sure you have a space with surfaces that can withstand paint so they don’t have to worry about messing things up when they do what they love.
Mediation can make getting the parenting plan together a bit easier. Trying to sort everything out as quickly as you can after the split can help the children adjust. Having legal guidance is beneficial, especially if you need creative solutions to your child custody issues.
