Divorce is hard for all individuals involved, and particularly difficult for children. The future is uncertain, their lives are changing dramatically, and nothing feels like it will go back to the way it was. While it’s important to manage a child’s expectations for what shared custody will look like, you should also take time to understand where exactly their feelings of anxiety or apathy are coming from. The family attorney at Arturo R. Alfonso, P.A. in Miami has compiled a short list of things to expect as well as ways to mitigate emotional stress from your child in these tumultuous times.
The Fairness Doctrine in Shared Custody
After your family attorney secures joint physical custody, a child will quickly learn that they must abide by the fact that they will be living with Mom in Miami half the time and Dad in Orlando the other half. Kids may be so subordinate to the idea of fairness that they’ll stunt their emotional needs in the process. For example, usually emotional needs are met best by one of the parents, while the other cannot provide the same emotional support. This causes psychological stress on the child, especially now that they have to deal with their parents separately.
Emotional Pressure and Fallout
Over time, the child’s need to meet their parents expectations leads to immense pressure both emotionally and physically. They will be overwhelmed, exhausted, and may have trouble in school as well. When there is a 50/50 living arrangement and one parent wants their emotional needs met first, kids will be unable to fill their parent’s emotional void and become increasingly depressed with feelings of failure and inadequacy. This can eventually lead to substance abuse and even suicide. Communicating effectively with your child is important to help them avoid destructive fallout from the emotional pressure.
Coping
Some children handle split custody better than others. It largely depends on the child’s own development proclivities as well as how well the parents are at handling shared custody. Nevertheless, it’s very common for their future relationships and lives to be adversely affected by a shared custody situation gone wrong. The best thing you can do for your child in the growing stages of 50/50 custody is to listen to them. If they feel more comfortable with one parent, perhaps put your own emotional needs aside and let them have more time if need be.
Custody battles are hard on children whether shared or not. When you need the help of a family attorney in Miami, we are here to give you the legal guidance you require to get through this difficult time.
Contact Us
Divorce is hard, but with the assistance of a reputable family attorney things can go much more smoothly. At Arturo R. Alfonso, P.A., we have years of experience in shared custody situations and can help you navigate the terrain with more ease going forward. Contact us today for more information on our legal services. Get the prompt council you need!