Growing up can be tough, especially for children who have to deal with difficult situations and their parents getting divorced. Divorce can be especially challenging if the co-parenting schedule isn’t working out as well as it could. Although an equal custody split is optimal, the traditional every-other-week model may not always suffice. Divorced parents in Tennessee realize that co-parenting entails more than just equal time.
Divorce produces emotional disturbances
Relationships produce emotions like love and hate, but younger children are exposed to fluctuating emotional states from hormonal influences and parental degrading relationships before the divorce begins. Children who are co-parented and switch parents every other week can start suffering from separation anxiety, depression, or a serious anxiety disorder. The children can become confused because they rotate through the separated homes and are angry that they have moved around each week, possibly leaving behind favorite items.
Parent’s relationship to each other matters
The every-other-week split becomes nearly impossible when the parents are not on speaking terms or have otherwise arranged not to be in direct contact. Parents’ attitudes toward each other after the divorce determine children’s anxiety level. Parents who do not get along can create tense situations and even begin disputes that may frighten the children.
Scheduling difficulties
Co-parenting with a 50/50 weekly split may cause problems with one or both parents’ schedules and commitments. Initially, each parent has a week to schedule appointments, dates, and other important events where they will not need to worry about who is watching the children. However, suppose the work schedule of either parent is erratic and prevents them from dropping children at school, picking them up, or requiring travel which makes caring for the children difficult. In that case, the a modification of the child custody agreement should be filed with the court.
Parents should consider all schedules, emotional balances, and interactions before setting up a co-parenting plan. Determine the best routine for the safety and well-being of your children and each parent, even if it is not the every-other-week method, and listen to your children’s feedback.