Think of the children! However cliché the phrase, it should come as no surprise that the primary concern of any parent during a divorce is the emotional well-being of their children. In the Court’s eyes, the child’s emotional wellbeing is often encompassed by an analysis of the child’s best interests. But how are these amorphous phrases analyzed in the context of divorce? What should a parent do to lessen the impact of a divorce on their family? Where are the goalposts?

Here are five (5) effective aims to ensure that your children’s best interests and emotional wellbeing are prioritized before, during and after divorce:

  1. Emotional Stability and Well-Being of Children
  • Minimize Trauma: Divorce is a significant change for children, and how parents handle it can significantly impact the children’s emotional and psychological well-being. Demonstrating calm, respectful behavior helps reduce anxiety and fear in children.
  • Security and Predictability: Children need a sense of security and predictability. When parents model stability and effective problem-solving, it helps children feel safer and more secure despite the changes happening around them.
  1. Healthy Relationship Models
  • Conflict Resolution: By showing healthy ways to resolve conflicts, parents teach children essential skills for managing their own relationships in the future. This can help children develop better interpersonal skills and emotional intelligence.
  • Respect and Cooperation: Modeling respectful and cooperative behavior, even in challenging times, sets a standard for children to emulate in their relationships with others.
  1. Positive Coping Mechanisms
  • Stress Management: Demonstrating positive ways to cope with stress, such as through self-care, seeking support, and maintaining a positive outlook, teaches children how to handle their own stress and emotions healthily.
  • Resilience: Showing resilience in the face of adversity can inspire children to develop their own resilience, helping them to navigate challenges throughout their lives.
  1. Long-Term Mental Health
  • Preventing Negative Outcomes: Poorly managed divorces with high conflict and hostility can lead to long-term mental health issues for children, such as depression, anxiety, and behavioral problems. Setting a good example helps mitigate these risks and supports better long-term outcomes.
  • Encouraging Open Communication: When parents communicate openly and honestly, it encourages children to express their own feelings and concerns, fostering a healthier emotional environment.
  1. Preserving Parental Relationships
  • Maintaining Bonds: Children benefit from having strong, loving relationships with both parents. By setting a good example and avoiding negative behaviors like bad-mouthing the other parent, children can maintain strong bonds with both parents, which is crucial for their emotional development.
  • Co-Parenting Effectiveness: Effective co-parenting requires mutual respect and cooperation. Setting a good example ensures a more harmonious co-parenting relationship, which benefits the children by providing a consistent and supportive environment.

By implementing these strategies, parents can set a positive example for their children, helping them navigate the challenges of divorce with resilience and emotional strength. As President John F. Kennedy said, “Children are the world’s most valuable resource, and its best hope for the future.”

Myself and the attorneys at Beermann LLP are well equipped to assist you and your family in navigating every aspect of your divorce or parentage matter with the level of detail and empathy necessary to ensure lasting stability.

Charles M. Wright, Associate

For more on Mr. Wright, please visit:
https://www.beermannlaw.com/team/charles-m-wright/

 

Resources and Further Reading