As an adult who has chosen to divorce, you retain control over your life. Yet, your minor children will still rely on you in so many aspects of life and your decisions, choices and actions matter.
The first few months or years will be difficult for your children. Yet, long term, most kids cope just fine and come to understand why their parents took the decision to end their marriage. Here are some things your children may thank you for when they look back in years to come:
1. You were always respectful to each other
Co-parenting can be tough, especially if things happened during the marriage and divorce that left you feeling resentment toward each other. Refraining from talking badly about your ex in front of your children can make things much easier for your kids. They need to be free to love and spend time with you both without fear that doing so upsets either of you.
2. You looked after yourself
Self-care is crucial to help you be the best parent you can be. While your child might not like it at the time if you tell them you don’t want to do something or go somewhere, they will hopefully come to understand why. Doing everything your child wants, all the time does not make you the best parent in the world – rather it makes you exhausted.
Even something such as shipping your child off to a relative’s for the week, because you need a break, will be seen as a positive if they look back and see you had more energy for them when they returned.
Parenting after a divorce is hard. Understanding your legal rights during the divorce won’t change that, but it can help make it easier.