Smooth Transitions in Shared Custody Arrangements

If it’s confusing and frustrating for everyone when kids go from one parent to another, you should know that the back-and-forth can be a lot easier. How can parents make the transition less like a ball bouncing from house to house and more like a smooth, simple part of life that is drama-free for everyone involved? It’s possible. While the experience can be jarring for parents, and it often really is tough on kids when the people they love most—their parents– don’t handle transitions with care. So take the steps to make it all work for everyone!

How to Make it Work

You may have experienced anxiety, loneliness, or jealousy as you watch your kids head out to spend time with your former spouse.  But sorrow and chaos needn’t be the norm. There are things you can do to ease the misery and make transitions easy and stress-free:

• To start with, you should recognize that, as much as you worry about your children when they are with your ex, they may be worrying about you, too. You may believe you’re consoling them by telling them how much you miss them, but in truth, you’re piling some pretty hefty guilt on them. Think about it: how can they enjoy their time away when they know you’re all alone feeling blue? Since kids tend to empathize with their parents, it’s got to be tough for them to enjoy themselves when given the ammunition to worry instead. Know that your kids will be content if they know you are happy, so don’t weigh them down with worry.
• Craft a plan for your time alone. When your children are with their co-parent, you actually have the rare gift of free time! Seize those moments that are not consumed with the schedules and demands of parenting to do something for yourself. Adjust your thinking: instead of viewing the time as being abandoned, view it as being freed. Take care of yourself by going to the gym, doing the deep-cleaning you’ve been putting off, playing a round of golf, or just watching rom-coms with a bowl of ice cream! As you take care of yourself, you’ll discover that you’re more relaxed, better able to cope with the stresses of daily life, and happier overall. Your kids will thank you for it!
• Find an emotional outlet. If you’re still juggling a lot of bewildering emotions, this could be the best time to work through them by talking it out with a counselor, good friend, or religious leader.  Maybe you could take up journaling, hiking, or yoga.  Whatever you choose, invest in your emotional wellbeing by making meaning out of the divorce and by looking forward. It will benefit both your mental and your physical health, and advantage you in ways large and small down the road.

Stellar Divorce Attorneys 

The Boca Raton divorce attorneys at WiseLieberman understand how complicated divorce can get, and they know the aftermath can be emotional instability.  That’s why they work to make the process as stress-free as possible while fighting for the best possible outcomes for you. To discuss, schedule a confidential consultation in our Boca Raton office today.

Source:

theexit.com/co-parenting-advice-how-to-make-transition-between-households-easier-for-parents-kids