If you have kids and are going through a divorce in Minnesota, one issue that should take priority is parenting. You may be wondering if co-parenting is the right decision for your family. Although it will take a concentrated effort from you and your soon-to-be ex-spouse to make the transition from a two parent household to one easier for your children, it can be done.
Is co-parenting the right decision for your family?
Divorce without an attorney is not necessarily faster or smarter
It is understandable that once a decision is made to divorce, some people want the process to go as fast as possible so to move on with life. However, as the Minnesota Judicial Branch website reports, divorce in Minnesota is "a lot more complicated than getting married," sometimes taking several months to complete.
The importance of prenuptial agreements
Before couples in Minnesota say “I Do,” they should take some time to plan out their prenuptial agreement. No one really likes to think about separations and divorce when they are in the process of getting married and making decisions about how they will spend the rest of their lives with their significant others. However, doing so can offer them some protection from the ravaging consequences of divorce should they separate from their soon-to-be spouse and things get ugly.
Learning effective listening skills
Many families in Minnesota going through divorce process notice that the lines of communication between them and their children are faint or no longer exist. Parents who seek to minimize the effects of their divorce situation on their kids should start by learning effective listening skills. According to GoodTherapy.org, parents should stop talking so they can hear what is actually being said. This can enable them to become better and more effective communicators with their children and themselves.
Explaining divorce to children
For many parents who are going through a divorce in Minnesota, nothing seems harder than having to explain the situation to their kids. No matter how young or old they are, their children may not have a good understating of how mommy and daddy’s separation really affects them. According to HealthyChildren.org, it is important for parents to show their children that even though they will live in separate homes, both mom and dad will still be there for them.
How to recognize the signs of parental alienation?
Parents who are in the midst of divorce in Minnesota should watch their children for signs of parental alienation. This form of abuse can occur when one parent exerts influence over their kids in an effort to control their actions and feelings towards their other parent. According to Cooperative Parenting, the relationship between the parent who is being victimized can be interrupted and destroyed by the actions of the parent who is acting as the abuser. As a result, the whole family suffers from the impact of the situation when the kids are completely alienated from their innocent parent.
