Shared Parenting After Divorce And Its Impact On Your Children

According to studies, forty-two percent of marriages in UK ended in divorce during 2016.

Separation and divorce can be quite painful and can completely disrupt a person’s life. However, the impact of divorce is not just limited to the couple. It also has an impact on their children as well.

Research has indicated that many children report feeling neglected due to their parents’ divorce. Sometimes it can result in children internalising or externalising their feelings, which has an adverse effect on their mental health.

Here are some things that parents can do for their children after divorce:

Resolve conflict with one another

Conflicts between parent during and after divorce tend to have an impact on their child’s psyche. However, therapists and doctors agree that children should have a relationship with both their (mentally healthy) parents.

Sometimes a parent may completely drop out of their children’s life due to bitter feelings. This affects children since they lose a parent and a source of financial stability.

Therefore, it is important that parents establish a collaborative and cooperative relationship for the sake of their children. It is certainly challenging however, parents need to know that children are sensitive to resolution of conflicts. It teaches children problem-solving skills.

Take the needs of children into account

Children show a wide range of emotional reactions when they see their parents go through divorce. Children may show signs of anxiety and depression. There are also cases where children become even more demanding and irritable.

These are reasons why after divorce, co-parenting is ideal for children’s healthy development.

Parents need to take measures to help their kids understand that they are not the reason for divorce. Children need to know that even if their parents are no longer together, they still love their kids, unconditionally and consistently.

Needs of parents

A person’s parenting skills are at low ebb while he or she is going through a divorce. Unfortunately, this is a time when their children need them most.

During this time, parents need to seek help for their problems so that they are able to provide their children with affection and attention. Watching their parents cope with the challenges of divorce also alleviates the burden that their children feel.

Research shows that if parents function well after a divorce, their child tends to do the same.

Custody arrangements

After separating, parents need to decide the living arrangements of their children. They can consult family law solicitors who can draw up joint custody agreement so that the child does not spend more than sixty percent and less than forty percent of his or her time with either parent.

These agreements give both parents the right to take decisions for their children even if the kids live with just one parent.

In case of sole legal custody, one parent loses the decision-making authority. However, he or she still has parental obligations to the child.

In either case, it is important for children to enjoy a healthy communication with both of their parents.

We can help you make sure that you arrange for your children when you file for divorce. Our team can help ensure that your divorce does not affect your children. Contact us at 020 3417 3700.