Unfortunately, difficulty making decisions can unduly complicate your divorce and possibly increase hardships for your kids. Each situation is unique, but there are several things most parents divorcing for the first time should anticipate.
Often, this is a risk when divorce has a powerful impact on children. Every time you see them struggling with sadness and fear, it will pull sharply on your heartstrings. Prepare yourself for this possibility and be ready to give your kids extra love and nurturing.
Sometimes, when kids face troubling events like parental divorce, they may look for someone to blame. If your child blames you, avoid making decisions just to regain their favor, as that may happen anyway. Shower them with reassurance if they begin to believe it is their fault.
Since their world is changing drastically, most kids involved in a divorce benefit from stability more than ever. Knowing when they can spend time with each parent may improve their sense of security. Make it a priority to create a parenting time plan that complies with Florida law early in your divorce.
Remember, divorce decisions could impact you and your kids for months or years. Legal guidance may help keep you on track to achieving your goals if your children's struggles begin to affect your decision-making skills.
]]>By planning well in advance of your child’s winter holidays – which is likely their second-longest holiday period away from school next to summer vacation – you can avoid the kind of tension that tends to be associated with last-minute decision-making. Planning in advance also demonstrates respect for your time, your child’s needs and your co-parent’s situation as well.
Chances are that your co-parenting relationship is already governed – in no small part – by the terms of a parenting plan. If so, you likely already have a framework in place for handling holiday time. If your child’s best interests and your family’s needs are still accurately reflected by this framework, you’ll simply need to iron out the details of this year’s arrangements with your co-parent so that everyone can plan accordingly.
If, however, your child’s best interests have evolved and/or your family’s circumstances have changed significantly, it may be time to negotiate an adjustment of your parenting plan’s terms with your co-parent. If you can reach a mutually-agreeable solution, you can work with an attorney to formalize it with the court. If you can’t reach a consensus, it may be time to file a formal modification petition.
Regardless of what the ins and outs of your situation may be, because summer is drawing to a close, it’s time to start thinking about the winter holidays.
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