Many Ohio parents who decide to seek a divorce worry about how the divorce will affect their children’s emotional health. This is a valid concern as many children of divorce often struggle with issues that first develop when their parents split up. However, parents can work together to help their children lead an emotionally healthy life after divorce.
Because children of divorced parents have to make drastic adjustments in their lives rather quickly, they often have to grow up too fast, all of which can have a negative impact on their emotional wellbeing. One way an expert suggests for preventing this negative impact is to remember and respect the rights of children of divorce. First, children of divorced parents have a right to love both their parents and to continue building healthy relationships with both parents without feeling any guilt. This means that parents should not interfere in this development by speaking negatively about their ex or by blaming their ex for a variety of faults in front of their children. Second, as stepparents are introduced, the children have the right to also build healthy relationships with them.
Children also have the right to know the truth about what is going on in their lives, about any changes that might affect them and about the parenting plan. When possible, they should also be included in making decisions that will affect their lives. Finally, children also have the right to develop relationships with peers outside their families, even if their social interactions might sometimes interfere with the parenting plan.
As parents proceed with divorce negotiations, they will also need to design a parenting plan. During this process, parents might benefit from guidance from a family law lawyer who can assist them in identifying what works best for everyone.