By now, Minnesota parents do not need to be told how important spending time with their children is. Nevertheless, a new study out of the University of Virginia suggests that infants that spend nights away from their mothers form a less secure attachment. The author of the study posited that the first year of a child’s life is critical in developing the foundation for healthy attachments and relationships.
But, as more and more parents are separating or divorcing at younger ages, infants are spending time apart from their parents. While the study is simply another wrinkle in the endless wave of divorce information, it does provide some food for thought while crafting a child custody plan.
Though more and more jurisdictions, like Minnesota, are moving towards an even parenting time split, this particular study suggested that children needed more time with their mothers, at least during their early formative years. Mothers and fathers, to be sure, would have different reactions to such a position. While the study is not the final authority on the matter, these types of arguments need to be understood as you work out a parenting plan.
Courts are always most interested in the best interests of the child. What that is, however, is left to interpretation. Fathers, no doubt, would argue that an even share of time is good for the child so they can develop relationships with both parents. Mothers, meanwhile, may cite such scholarly work and argue that their children’s time is better spent with them. The challenges are obvious.
Local St. Paul attorneys have spent decades working through these types of issues. They know the law, they know the theories and, most importantly, they know how to get the best possible outcome for their client. No parenting situation is the same. No matter what you have heard about others going through a custody battle, local attorneys can craft original arguments to secure the outcome that is best for the child.
Source: Huffington Post, “Divorce Study Show Infants’ Attachment to Caregivers Affected by Joint Custody,” July 29, 2013