As a divorce attorney, handling post-divorce matters is the most challenging thing that we have to do since it most often involves children. Kids get caught in the middle and suffer, often without the parents noticing. The adults in the post-divorce environment find closure and move on - usually - but the children have to deal with both parents. Often that is difficult and even uncomfortable for them. It is no wonder that the standard in any litigation involving children is to do what is in the best interests of the child whether or not it is best for the parents.
I see conflicts that range from things like getting mad because an outfit one parent bought for a child got left at the other parent's house (no kidding, I've seen people try to take that to court) to moving to another country to pursue a job opportunity with a new spouse (which is almost impossible to solve if both parents want substantial amounts of time with the children). Sometimes, this means that parents have to make hard choices - do they put their child or thier own, new lives first? These are always difficult questions, but, as a parent, the right thing to do is to keep the interests of your child ahead of yours - that's what the Court will do, if it has to go that far - but, do your best to work it out or get to a mediator first. Except in the most difficult cases where there has been spousal abuse - you should do your best to work out conflict with the other party - it saves time, money and anquish.
Below are some great tips I found on Dr. Phil's for post-divorce parents (pay particular attention to the second part of the list - these are the constructive actions you can take to keep you kids as healthy as possible post-divorce:
"Post-divorce parenting is fraught with danger, danger that you will inadvertently do damage on top of what the divorce has already done. To help you recognize mistakes you may be making and to avoid mistakes you're prone to make, Dr. Phil lists some of the biggest and most frequent mistakes those in your situation typically make:
Sabotaging your child's relationship with the other parent.
Using your child as a pawn to "get back at" or hurt your ex.
Using your child to gain information or to manipulate and influence your ex.
Transferring hurt feelings and frustrations toward your ex onto your child. (You may be particularly prone to this if your child bears physical or behavioral resemblances to your ex.)
Forcing your child to choose a side when there's a conflict in scheduling or another planning challenge.
Turning family events attended by both divorced parents into pressure cookers. Events that call for sensitivity include birthdays, holidays, school programs, extracurricular activities and performances.
Depending too much on your children for companionship and support because you're hurt and lonely and have adopted a siege mentality: "It's us against the world." This isn't a healthy position for either you or your child to adopt.
Treating your child like an adult because you're lonely or just want help. It is inappropriate to give your child an adult job.
Becoming so emotionally needy that your child develops feelings of guilt if he or she spends time or even wants to spend time with your ex, friends, grandparents or others.
Converting guilt over the divorce into overindulgence when it comes to satisfying your child's material desires.
Besides making a commitment to avoid these mistakes, you should affirmatively commit to a family and parenting strategy that will help your child flourish in a divorced home. Key components of such a strategy include:
Commit to learn, adopt and apply all the principles set forth in Family First. The philosophies, tools and strategies described in this book are critical to having a healthy, happy family and raising successful, authentic children, whether or not both parents live in the home.
Sit down with your ex and make an affirmative plan that sets aside any differences you may have and focuses instead on meeting the needs of your children.
Agree with your ex that you absolutely won't disparage each other to your children. Further, forbid your children to speak disrespectfully about the other parent, even though it may be music to your ears.
Negotiate and agree on how you can best handle such things as handing off the children for visitation, holidays, or events. In the interest of your children's peace and security, it's up to you to act maturely and without selfishness.
Agree on boundaries and behavioral guidelines for raising your children so that there's consistency in their lives, regardless of which parent they're with at any given time.
With regard to extended family members, negotiate and agree on the role they'll play and the access they'll be granted while your child is in each other's charge. The extended family plays a very important role in the lives of children.
Communicate actively with your ex about all aspects of your child's development. Both parents should know about any and all positive or negative events in the child's developmental journey.
Recognize that children are prone to testing a situation and manipulating boundaries and guidelines, especially if there's a chance to get something they may not ordinarily be able to obtain. It's important that you and your ex compare notes before jumping to conclusions or condemning one another about what may have happened.
Although it may be emotionally painful, make sure that you and your ex keep each other informed about changes in your life circumstances so that the child is never, ever the primary source of information.
Commit to conducting yourself with emotional integrity. If you and your ex have agreed to a plan, stick to it. Say what you mean; mean what you say."
(If you want to read more from Dr. Phil - here is the citation:
http://www.drphil.com/articles/article/242/ )
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