When Texas parents get divorced, their children must live with the consequences of that decision as well. Therefore, it is important to have some idea of what they will be thinking when hearing the news for the first time. The first thing that a parent should stress is that the divorce is not the child’s fault. It is also important to stress that he or she is allowed to love and have relationships with both parents.
If it is practical to do so, it can be a good idea to schedule family events on a regular basis. For instance, parents and children can have meals together every week or spend the holidays together. Spending holidays as a family can be more convenient as there isn’t a need to schedule multiple family dinners or other events during that time.
Both parents should be allowed to attend birthday parties, graduations and other ceremonies marking important events in the child’s life. Of course, this should generally not be allowed to happen if a parent is a danger to the child or to other family members. If a child is going to spend time with both parents, the child should be expected to follow the same rules in both households. Creating boundaries and expectations helps a child grow up to become a healthy adult.
In a divorce, deciding how to allocate parenting time can be a point of contention. An attorney may help a parent manage his or her emotions and take steps to show that being in the child’s life is in the minor’s best interest.
