After parents in Minnesota get divorced, they may have continuing feelings of bitterness toward each other. Parents need to understand that how they act to each other can have a positive or negative impact on their children as they grow up.
Research has demonstrated that children who grow up after divorce with parents who can successfully co-parent are much better adjusted as adults than children whose parents are in constant conflict with each other. Parents should set their bitter feelings aside and work together to raise their children in a healthy, positive, and happy way.
Children do best after a divorce when they have equal or near-equal time with both parents. The parents should avoid drawing their children into personal conflicts because that can lead the children to have divided loyalties. Children should not be placed in a position in which they feel that they have to keep secrets or be exposed to one parent’s negativity toward the other parent. Parents should instead focus their parenting plans in a way that benefits the children for their particular ages. They should encourage their children to develop strong and loving relationships with the other parent. Parents should be flexible and agree to work around each other’s schedules as well as their children’s schedules.
Child custody can present some thorny issues after a divorce. Instead of fighting about everything, parents should try to talk to each other calmly and with the best interests of their children in mind. Trying to iron out minor issues without involving the children in the disagreements is important. Parents who are facing more serious problems might benefit from talking to an experienced child custody and family law attorney. A lawyer might facilitate a modification to the original agreement that will protect the rights of his or her client and the children’s interests.