A while ago, the family court judges went to a seminar where several adult
“children of divorce” gave speeches.
One said the two things she dreaded most were her high school and college
graduation days, because she knew that her parents would both be there
and cause a scene. Another spoke of finding out the college fund she thought
she had was spent for their parents battling over her. The judge said
it broke his heart to hear these stories.
Children caught in the middle of parental conflict want one thing: for
their parents to get along.
So, keeping that in mind, here are some suggestions:
Nobody discusses the adult issues unless the children are at least one
mile away. That means you, your mom, and anyone else.
No airing of your gripes about your spouse on any social media platforms
like Facebook or Twitter.
When you exchange the children, be polite or be quiet and fake it if you
have to. It’s okay to dislike your ex, just don’t bring the
kids in it. Think what you wish, just don’t say it. (Surely some
of you don’t like a co-worker, but because you like your job, you
bite your tongue.)
Consider the exchanges to be like going to court: be on time, or bad things happen.
Consider that even if you think your ex is totally worthless at best, your
kids still want to be with them. Sometimes, it’s good for them to
see the “bad example factor.”
Consider that judges are smart people, and will know if you’re putting
the kids in the middle.
Remember that, as much as you may despise your ex, you’re doing this
for the kids and that they’re worth the effort.
Finally, remember that you’re only as happy as your unhappiest kid.
The divorce process can be hard on everyone involved, so you should have
quality legal representation by your side to put yourself in the best
situation. At The Harris Law Firm, our Colorado family law attorneys will
assist you in putting together a plan of action that will put your family
in the best situation moving forwards. Give us a call at (303) 622-5502
to speak with one of our family law lawyers today, or
tell us all about your case in our ‘Contact Us’ form.
If you are in need of a compassionate, skilled, and experienced Colorado
family law attorney, The Harris Law Firm can help. If you have a legal
question about a domestic relations issue, including divorce and the allocation
of parental rights, please complete our contact form below. A member of
our legal team will be in touch with you soon to arrange a private consultation
with one of our experienced attorneys. Together we can find a resolution.