Separating from a spouse can be unsettling, but it can be traumatic for any young children involved. A divorce can often leave questions, uncertainty and blame for little ones to carry. During the holiday season, some Connecticut parents forgo the sentiment and often interfere with the other parent’s visitation. These actions can carry consequences that have a lasting negative effect on the relationship with one’s child.
Allowing the kids to have uninterrupted time with the other parent is crucial. Building relationships with each parent separately is important to help foster trust and honesty within the new family dynamic. It also allows for the ex as well as the children to see a mutual respect between two who people who are no longer together.
As children grow up, they learn to understand the reasoning behind parent’s actions, good or bad. When a parent uses a child to hurt an ex-partner, the child learns resentment and poor coping mechanisms. The parents have taught the child that anger and manipulation is the best way to get what you want.
A divorce can prove to be emotionally draining and time-consuming for families. When children are involved, those emotions are worn more on the sleeves, and the kids see forgiveness or the lack thereof exhibited by their parents. Many divorcing parents can establish a child custody plan that works for all involved. When this isn’t the case, a Connecticut family law attorney can help navigate family law issues and keep the focus on the family unit.
Source: dallasnews.com, “How to give your kids a holiday from your divorce”, Connie Schultz, Dec. 1, 2017