Parental alienation can be a serious problem during a divorce or in the immediate aftermath. It essentially refers to a scenario where one parent intentionally tries to get a child to keep their distance from the other coparent. Their goal may be to manipulate them so...
Child Custody
Co-parenting: Why avoiding mixed messages is important
Successful co-parenting generally relies heavily on clear, consistent communication between parents. One of the most common pitfalls in co-parenting is sending mixed messages—either to one’s children or between oneself and one’s co-parent. When parents are not aligned...
Why shouldn’t divorced parents send messages via their children?
You might not enjoy talking to your ex or soon-to-be ex. Maybe conversations often turn into arguments. Perhaps they use the interactions to make you feel bad about yourself. Or maybe you still want to be with them and need to limit contact to help you get over them....
Can a child choose their own custody situation?
As you go through a divorce, you know that you and your spouse will have to divide physical and legal custody of your child. Legal custody refers to the decision-making abilities that you have, so the child will likely be uninvolved in this process. It’s common simply...
Parenting time schedules for those who work odd hours
When parents work odd or non-traditional hours, creating a parenting schedule can feel like an uphill battle. Jobs that require late nights, early mornings or rotating shifts often make it difficult to adhere to relatively standard parenting time schedules. However,...
Communication in child custody must be a priority
People who have children and are going through a divorce must ensure that they’re ready to communicate with each other about the kids. It’s not always easy to do this because of the tensions that occur during the end of the relationship. There are several things that...
Is birdnesting a good idea?
There is little doubt that traditional shared custody arrangements can sometimes disrupt a child’s life. Splitting their time between two households can become chaotic, and it’s not uncommon for children to forget something they need at the other parent’s house. That...
3 things to think about in a divorce with a special needs child
Divorcing with a special needs child is incredibly challenging and requires careful planning and consideration to ensure the well-being of your child. While each situation is unique, the potential considerations below can offer some clarity about what to prioritize if...
Virtual visitation can help to calm kids’ stress post-divorce
When a child’s parents divorce, the situation can quickly become overwhelming in ways that they may not be able to articulate or manage successfully. A transition from living in a unified household to splitting time between two homes often inspires anxiety, confusion...
Is it time to alter your child custody schedule? 4 reasons
A child custody schedule determines how you and your co-parent are responsible for caring for your child. You may need to have a clear reason to change your current child custody schedule. Here are a few examples: 1. Your work or school schedule has changed Work and...