If you share children with the person you are divorcing, one of the things you must do is work out how to split parenting. It’s an issue that can often cause friction, as understandably both parents may hate the thought of not being able to spend as much time with their child as before.
Your divorce will likely be more difficult if you both go all out to get as much time as you can. Aiming for a more even split has several advantages:
1. A more even split may be better for the child
Imagine being a child and going from seeing mom or dad seven days a week to only seeing them a couple of days a week or perhaps just two weekends a month. It’s a massive reduction in contact time which is bound to affect the child and the parent. Research has found kids generally fare better when they have regular contact with both parents.
2. It may be better for your co-parenting relationship
Imagine if you won the custody battle and got to keep your child with you the majority of the time. Your spouse could remain upset about this for years and it may influence how they behave toward you, resulting in a co-parenting relationship fraught with problems. When both parties emerge content from custody negotiations it paves the way for a smoother future.
3. It could be better for you as a person and professional
However much you love being a parent it is healthy to do other things. Giving up a bit of time with your child could free you to spend more time on yourself – be that focusing on your business, spending more time with friends or getting out running each morning.
When the time comes to negotiate your custody and parenting arrangements, having experienced guidance can help you to make better decisions.