The decision to divorce is one that usually only comes after there’s a lot of contention between spouses. This tension can make it challenging to remain civil during the divorce process, simply because of the emotions involved.
If you and your ex share children, it may be best to take a step back at the start of the divorce and commit to having calm communication while you’re working through everything. Being able to set the stage for cooperation early after the split can often help to make child custody matters much easier as you raise the children between two homes.
Focus only on the matters at hand
It’s easy to get sidetracked when you have things about the split that are bothering you. Since you’ve decided to divorce, those things probably aren’t important. Instead of living in the past, take this time to focus on the future. And, one of the best ways to do that is to go through the mediation process with the intention of focusing on getting the divorce taken care of in the most amicable way.
Set the expectations early
You and your ex should discuss the expectations for child custody as soon as possible during the split. Coming up with the basic terms, such as who will make which decisions for the children and what types of basic guidelines will apply, enables you to help the children adjust to life between two homes without much of a delay.
Each child custody case is unique, so it’s best if you work with someone who understands your situation and can help you determine what options are feasible. Ultimately, the decisions you make can directly impact you and your children for a long time to come.