During a divorce, stability can be very helpful for children. It makes them feel more secure and confident. It reduces the level of stress that they feel, which a divorce can naturally bring.
But how can co-parents focus on creating that sense of stability? Below are some things to keep in mind.
Focus on consistency
First and foremost, co-parents should focus on creating as much consistency as they can for the children. For instance, they may want to consider having similar rules between households, using the same curfew and setting up consistent school schedules. The more that children know what to expect, the more stability they feel. This can be difficult when children are living in two homes, but it is possible when parents are focused on it as a goal.
Embrace communication
Co-parents also need to communicate so that they know exactly what’s going on with the children, especially if anything changes. If a child is having trouble in school, for instance, both parents need to know so that they can work together to address the situation.
Think outside the box
In some situations, parents will use unorthodox tactics to create more stability. One example of this is birdnesting, where children live in the same home after a divorce. The parents are the ones who move in and out. This can be complicated and expensive, but it does give the children a much more stable living situation.
As you move through a divorce, just be sure you understand all of the legal options you have and what steps you can take to put your children first.