Child custody is a challenging part of the divorce process
as you need to shuffle children from house to house, coordinate schedules and
divide the holidays fairly. It can be even more difficult if you’re ending a
marriage on bad terms. But based on studies, shared custody works the best when
each parent cooperates and shows respect for their ex-partner. The following
are 7 strategies to resolving your child custody issues amicably.
Don’t Speak Ill of
Your Ex
Statistics find that 50 percent of marriages will probably
end in divorce. While that may be a sobering statement, there are ways you can learn
to live with divorce. If a 50/50 parenting schedule is what you’re aiming
for, the best start you can make is to not speak ill of your partner. They may
have done things that warranted the failed marriage such as lie or cheat. But
don’t want to make your children suffer. Your child could act out when they
hear you speak ill of their parent. Instead, keep the feelings to yourself. If
you need to vent, trying bending the ear of a friend, therapist or counselor to
help you through your troubled thoughts.
Work with the Experts
There are numerous benefits to working with the
professionals. According to Harshberger Law Firm LLC, their trusted team of
experts will be able to fight for your child’s best interest because they are
familiar with the laws. Their negotiating skills can also prove helpful when
you’re emotionally drained from the uphill battle of dealing with an ex-spouse.
If money is owed, your attorney will also be able to ensure that you get a
sufficient and fair amount of spousal support. If you have questions simply
click http://harshbergerlaw.com/child-custody
for your free consultation.
Custody is All About
the Children
Divorce may cause you to focus solely on your own needs. But
when it comes to deciding on custody issues, it’s all about the children.
Parents need to remember that both parties still need to do their duties
raising the kids. If both parents are amicable in their efforts, the children
have a better chance of coming out of the situation with less problems and
animosity. After all, wouldn’t you like to give your child the best gift of
growing up loved no matter where they reside?
Take a Hard Look at
Your Schedule
Parents entering a divorce may want to make their ex suffer
by asking for sole custody. But unless there is a real issue, you need to take
a hard look at your schedule. If you travel for work or are busy taking care of
an aging parent, sharing custody can prove helpful by allowing you time to
handle other matters. It’s important to check your emotions at the door and
negotiate custody based on facts and what’s best for the kids. If you’re unsure
about putting together a calendar, there are sample
custody schedules on the Internet that can help you.
Assess the Needs of
Your Kids
You want to take your child’s age and schedule into account
when determining fair
child custody arrangements. Children who are infants and toddlers may find
it too difficult to be shuffled back and forth. As your child gets older, you
may be able to determine a more suitable arrangement such as every other
weekend. If your kids are in school, you may also want to keep them with one
parent during the week and every other weekend with the other.
Find a Respectful Way
to Communicate
To ensure that your joint custody agreement works, you need
to find a respectful way to communicate with your ex. Never tell your kids to
relay messages back and forth. Instead, work out the problems amongst
yourselves in-person. If you find it unbearable to see your ex, phone calls or
a text can also prove helpful. If you can’t see eye-to-eye on an issue, you may
need assistance. A mediator or attorney can help keep things on track if your
ex decides to ignore the custody agreement.
Choose Your Battles
Wisely
Parenting can be challenging on its own. Add a divorce, and
you may have an even more difficult situation to deal with. You can reduce your
number of battles with an ex by keeping the lines of communication open. If
disagreements happen along the way, decide if the conflict is worth getting
upset over. Things such as vacations, holidays, child rules and schools are all
important decisions to discuss. Unless your child has a medical issue that is
being ignored or they’re in danger, try to keep the dissension out of the
courts.
When you’re going through a divorce, implementing the best
child custody arrangements can be one of the most critical steps to smart
parenting. Although you may want to do everything you can to punish your
ex-spouse for the upheaval, putting the above strategies into play can provide
a stable and healthy environment for your kids.
