Divorce is seldom easy for anyone involved, but no one disputes that the dissolution of a marriage has far-reaching and potentially long-term effects on children.
When couples reach a decision to divorce, they owe it to their children to make good choices when it comes to custody arrangements.
“Children need both parents – one is not more primary or important than the other,” said Jerry Brodlie, Ph.D., child psychologist, in an article on making shared custody work at Parents.com.
There are a number of options for devising a child custody arrangement that benefits both the parents and children. Coming up with a plan that will work for your situation will require both parties to communicate openly, put the interests of the children first and be willing to work the plan. A Raleigh divorce lawyer can help you help your children.
Having a good plan in place is just the beginning. Parents will have to communicate continually as they move forward. Both parties need to be flexible, first in negotiating the arrangements and later in carrying them forward.
Some of the key factors that can make custody plans work for children include: predictability, stability, balance, and flexibility.
Children need to know that they are loved, and that the adults in their lives are going to be there for them. When divorced couples set up custody plans aimed at accomplishing that, children can flourish.
When it comes to working out child custody plans, divorcing parents need to remember that putting the children first and being creative in approaching the problems will benefit the children for the long term.
If you would like more information on child custody matters or have questions about how the process works, contact us. We can help you make the best decisions possible for you and your children.
