We can make divorce and separation less complicated for children by simply understanding the factors that contribute to a child’s transition and the ways we can make it better for them.
Let’s start out with the seven factors that influence a child’s adjustment to divorce. They are:
- Age of the child
- Temperament of the child
- Parental stability
- Environmental stability
- Parental access
- Child’s gender
- Parent (co-parenting) relationship*
Would it surprise you to know that the most significant factor of the seven is the co-parenting relationship? That means that, as a parent in the midst of a divorce, you have a way to help improve how your child adjusts by co-parenting well with the other parent. So make sure to support one another and your children. For more on how to co-parent, call our office and talk to our parenting coordinator.
There are also five requirements to insure that the kids you love have a healthy transition into separation. They include:
- Children shielded from parents’ conflict.
- Children have permission to love both parents.
- Children able to maintain relationships with both parents; not caught in the middle.
- Parents must co-parent.
- Parents must cope successfully. **
At Hester & Payseur, PLLC, we believe in helping the families in our community. That’s why, in September, our attorney Ann Payseur completed the training to become the first parenting coordinator in Gaston County. Parenting coordination is a form of dispute resolution for high-conflict divorce cases that is child-centered.
Parenting coordinator serves as an impartial person that assists the parties in resolving and deciding small disputes so the parties do not have to continue to return to court on items like how to split Thanksgiving holiday or handle the child’s birthday. Parties can agree to appoint a parenting coordinator or one can be appointed by a judge.
Contact Hester & Payseur, PLLC today and find out how our parenting coordinator services can support you and your family in this transition into a co-parenting, healthy separation.
* “Caught in the Middle: Protecting the Children of High-Conflict Divorce” by C. Garrity and M. Baris
** “Parenting Coordination Resource Manual: Providing a Window of Hope for High-Conflict, Divorced and Separated Families” by Boyan and Termini