Sadly, divorce has become somewhat of an inevitability in our world. The process of divorcing can cause distress and lifelong upset. But there is hope for finding a more functional response by all family members affected by divorce—Johnson Mediation of Chanhassen, Minnesota, offers the kind of service that can help divorcing parents and their children respond in a healthier way during and after the divorce process. If divorce is an inevitability for you, parenting and divorce mediation may be a tool that can help ensure that all family members are taken care of. If your family is going through a divorce, Johnson Mediation is an excellent resource for your entire family. Our team serves families of Chanhassen, Richfield, and Bloomington, Minnesota.
Navigating Divorce With Children
Below are some important steps to take in ensuring that children of divorced or divorcing parents are not unduly negatively affected by their parents’ decision to divorce.
● Adults must act like adults. The conflict of divorce can cause a loss of perspective, both situationally and over the long-term. Many parents succumb to that loss of perspective by putting more energy into hating their former spouses than loving their children.
● Do whatever you can to maintain stability in children’s lives. You can do this first by not talking negatively about your divorcing spouse in front of your children.
● Be a source of stability for your kids. Stability in their lives, precisely because of the instability that divorce causes, is crucial to your kids’ long-term well-being.
● Be honest with your children in a way that respects their ages and relative ability to understand the complexities of adult relationships.
● Love and support your children. The love you receive from them in response to what you give to them can also help you.
● Be respectful of your spouse and remember that your children came from that person too.
● Use reputable self-help books and other resources that are recommended by someone you can trust, like the staff of Johnson Mediation.
● As long as both parents act in the interests of the children’s well-being and there are no concerns about the other parent’s ability to ensure health and safety, strongly consider co-parenting options.
● Show compassion to your children as they experience grief in the aftermath of divorce. Divorce, of course, affects more than just the parents, and children are extremely sensitive to their parents’ relationships.
● Above all else, don’t use your children as manipulation tools against your ex. Doing so is evidence of placing your own shortsighted self-interest ahead of the long-term well-being of your children.
Divorce Mediation and Parenting Support Services
Johnson Mediation can help you identify the most pressing issues coming out of your divorce, and help you find solutions that maintain the best interests of your children. Mediation allows you to do this with less overall conflict, which is always better for your kids. For more information about the divorce mediation and parenting support services offered by Johnson Mediation, call us today at (952) 401-7599.
