Putting Children First: Guidelines for Divorcing Parents Essay

Raising pip-squeakren presents challenges. When parents live in separate homes, the challenges are greater because relationships become more complicated. Sometimes parents disagree rough how much time children should spend with each parent. Unless special circumstances exist, preserving a healthy and ongoing relationship betwixt children and both parents after divorce or separation is of greatest importance. Positive involvement with both parents furthers the childs emotional and social development, academic achievement, and overall adjustment. The following guidelines are helpful to think of when divorced or separated parents interact with children.Children benefit when parents Keep predictable schedules Help the child have regular contact with the another(prenominal) parent by phone, letter, audio and video, Skype, email, and other forms of communication Are on time and have the child ready when its time for the child to go with the other parent Exchange the child without argu ing Support the childs relationship with the other parent Let the child carry important items such as favorite clothes, toys, and security blankets with them between the parents homes Follow confusable routines for mealtime, bedtime, and homework time in each home Handle rules and discipline in similar ways Support contact with grandparents, stepparents, and other extended family so the child doesnt lose these relationships Are flexible so the child can counter part in special family celebrations and events Give as much advance notice as possible to the other parent about special do or necessary changes to the schedule Provide the other parent with travel dates, destinations, and places where the child and the parent can be reached when on vacation Establish possible and priseful communication with the other parent Plan their vacations around the childs regularly scheduled activities.Children are harmed when parents Make their child choose between them Question their child abo ut the other parents activities or relationships Make promises they dont keep Drop in and out of the childs life Are inconsistent in using their parenting time Argue with or put down the other parent in depend of the child or where the child can overhear Discuss their personal problems with the child or where the child can overhear Use the child as a messenger, spy, or mediator Stop or interfere with parenting time because child support hasnt been paid Dont show respect for each other