Getting divorced in New Jersey can understandably be emotionally painful for the spouses involved, but it can also affect the children. This is particularly true during the holidays. However, divorcing parents can take steps to help their children to more easily cope with divorce during this time of year.
When people get divorced, they naturally wish to go their own separate ways. For this reason, reuniting with the other party during the holidays likely is not high on the list of priorities. However, in some situations, ex-spouses are able to get together during for Thanksgiving or Christmas simply for the sake of the children. In this situation, these spouses’ new significant others may also be able to join in the celebration, thus further helping the children adjust to new circumstances.
According to psychologists, it is critical that children feel that every adult who is close to them is on their side. Therefore, for divorced parents to be on a child’s side, it is important that they have a mutual respect for each other, as the child generally values having both parents in his or her life. Badmouthing the other party may unfortunately end up hurting the children, as the children may feel that the parent doing the badmouthing is essentially speaking poorly about part of them, too.
Creating a parenting plan is an important part of the divorce process for those dealing with child custody and visitation. The plan can spell out how the parents plan to handle the holidays, with the goal of creating an arrangement that will benefit the children. Devising this type of plan through mediation or negotiation also offers the benefit of allowing the parents to learn how to communicate effectively, which will help them in their future co-parenting. An attorney in New Jersey can provide the guidance needed to help a divorcing spouse achieve a favorable parenting plan that most importantly considers what is in the children’s best interests for the present and for the future.