Divorce is often thought of as a time when people act quite selfishly. This is perhaps not entirely fair. In fact, if there are kids involved, this is one of the best times for people to be unselfish. They need to put their children first.
As you may know, the court’s main goal in child custody situations in Florida is to do what is in the best interests of the child. So, if you’re unselfish and focus on your child, you ironically stand the best chance of actually getting what you want out of the divorce.
This doesn’t mean you let your rights fall by the wayside. This attitude is something that goes both ways. You and your ex need to be well aware of your rights—and your obligations—so that you can find a custody compromise that helps your children.
It can be hard, but the best thing to do is often to maintain a respectful relationship with your ex. One couple who worked hard at this even had a pet dog that they shared so it could always be around the kids. The man even gave his ex-wife a key to his house. He had no desire to get remarried, he said, but his actions showed that he could still get along with her even after a failed marriage. He could do it because it helped his kids.
Doing this gives the children the best chance to grow up and be happy and healthy. It helps them feel well-rounded and supported. That doesn’t mean it’s easy, but it should be your goal when working out your child custody agreement.
Source: Huffington Post, “Suck It Up For The Kids,” Heather Gillis-Harris, accessed Nov. 25, 2015