The divorce process is often stressful, even if the spouses aren’t at each other’s throats. Divorcing couples with children have even more to worry about, as they have a responsibility to keep things as normal and civil as possible for the sake of the children. However, many studies have shown that even the most dedicated parents can drop the ball during and after the divorce. As a result, many children start to act out and become more difficult for their parents to handle. To make things easier, you should be aware of these common mistakes that parents make during the divorce process.
First, many divorcing parents make the mistake of blaming their exes for everything that’s going wrong. By continuously pointing the finger at someone else, parents can avoid looking at their own actions and taking responsibility for their part in things. By owning your mistakes, you can be a better parent to your kids during this difficult time.
Another common mistake divorcing parents make is that they decide to bend the rules they set for their kids or lower their expectations. Children whose parents are divorcing need structure more than anything, and by allowing your kids to get away with anything, you are hurting them in the long run. If you and your ex have a parenting agreement in place, it is important that both of you follow it as closely as possible to provide your child with stability.
Finally, many parents going through a divorce will discuss adult issues with their kids. While some children may be able to follow what you are saying, they most likely will not understand things the way you or another adult does. It is also likely that anything you say to your children will be biased in your favor, even if you don’t mean it to be.
Navigating child custody issues during a divorce can be difficult, particularly for the children. As parents, you should always keep the best interests of your child in mind and work with your ex to make sure your child has all the support they need to get through this difficult time.