When parents of children decide to go their separate ways, it is often a very tough situation. Children always suffer the most through this difficult process, so it is crucial to keep their stress level as low as possible. Parents should work amicably with their divorce attorney to ensure that the children’s anxiety level remains as low as possible. The following are some things to do in order to keep the peace for the sake of the kids:
Keep A Moderate Schedule Of Activities
A separation can be a life-altering event for children. This is why their outside activities should remain as calm and familiar as possible. Keeping a moderate schedule of their regular extra-curricular activities can provide some sense of normalcy in their everyday lives. Knowing when their next ball practice or ballet class is can provide that comfortable routine that they are used to. Do not pull them from anything they are used to for the sake of the divorce unless it is an absolute necessity.
These activities also provide a way for children to get out of the house for a while and away from any stress that may be lingering. By doing their own activities, anxiety levels can remain low during this trying event in their lives. It is also imperative that the parents keep up with the kids’ schedules during times of custody in order to meet the needs of their activities.
Keep Change To A Minimum
When couples decide to go their separate ways, change is a given. Changes could mean a new place to live, a new school, or just having one parent no longer in the home on a daily basis. Try to make this tough transition as easy as possible for the children by keeping their daily routines as close to normal as possible.
One example is to keep holiday activities and traditions as close to normal as possible. Go to Christmas Eve mass, bake cookies, hide Easter Eggs, and any other activities that the kids are used to doing with the family. This may mean that they only do it with one parent at a time or they may alternate these events from year to year. A divorce attorney can help finalize a schedule in which holiday arrangements are fairly divided.
Keep A Calendar
When there are older kids involved, it can be helpful to provide them with a calendar of where they will be and on what days. This is a place to organize their custody days, family events, sporting events, and any other important tasks that they will need to remember. This can be kept on a large calendar on the refrigerator or in a mobile application on their cell phone. This will provide some sense of routine and help them understand their scheduling.
Keeping everyday happenings is such an important part of maintaining normalcy in the life of a child. That security and predictability can help them feel safe during a time of turmoil. Working closely with a divorce attorney can help develop a firm schedule in order to keep everything as calm as possible.