Divorce is a difficult time for everyone involved. The upheaval for the children can often be immense because the life they’ve always known is changing greatly. They have to learn how to live between two homes.
As a parent, there are ways you can help them as they make this transition. Ideally, you and your ex can work as a team to provide them with as much consistency as possible. It may help the kids if they can see that both of their parents are still able to work as a parenting team despite the divorce.
Consider following the same schedule
Younger children may also find the transition much easier if they can follow the same routines for things like bedtime. This helps them to feel a bit more stable as they learn how to live the new way of life.
Duplicate common items
One of the major stress points for some children is having to pack up everything to move back and forth between homes. It will make it much easier for them if you have common items, such as clothing and toiletries, in both homes so they don’t have to worry about those. Both parents should be understanding about items from one home going to the other.
Communicate calmly
Hearing their parents fight can be stressful for children. Because of this, it’s critical for parents to learn how to communicate calmly when the children are around. If there are contentious matters to discuss, they should be handled away from the children.
The parenting plan should have terms governing the parenting time schedule and the responsibilities of both parents. Getting these terms together should be set based on what’s best for the children.