People don’t get married without thinking the union is going to last forever. However, about 20 percent of couples who get married end up getting a divorce inside the first five years. Another 48 percent of people break up before 20 years have passed.
In a lot of cases, couples do not break up peacefully, and this can leave you feeling horrible, stressed, and it can make your divorce process last longer and cost more. It can also affect your children in a negative way.
With the welfare of their children in mind, many divorcing parents may want to keep the following facts in mind:
- Children tend to recover well within the first two years after a divorce.
- Children fare worse when two constantly fighting parents stay together and don’t get a divorce.
- If the conflict continues after divorce and/or without a divorce, children have a higher risk of social and psychological problems.
- Parents should try to shield their children from conflict by not fighting in front of their children and by resolving arguments outside of earshot.
- Presenting divorce plans to your children together, as a united front.
- Try to offer your children several weeks of notice before they have to move into a new home, or prior to one spouse leaving their current home.
- Try to keep schedules stable and don’t make lots of changes after divorce.
- Give children the gift of constant and regular contact with both of their parents.
- Consider a parent education program to help you navigate being the best single parent possible for your child.
Are you a soon-to-be single Maryland parent? You may want to consult with an experienced family law attorney to learn strategies for being the best parent you can be, both during and after your divorce process.