WESTOVER AIR RESERVE BASE, Mass. -- Do you know about the Human Performance Resource Center (HPRC)? It is an online, one-stop source of evidence-based information and key resources to help Warfighters and their families achieve total fitness and, ultimately, human performance optimization (HPO). This website has great information on topics from couple’s communication to fitness and health. I encourage you to check it out! My favorite is the “family and relationships” tab has great information for family and interpersonal relationship matters as well as resiliency and human performance information.
The following is an excerpt from the site:
Co-parenting after divorce Divorce often means big changes for a family. When kids are involved, it’s essential to put their needs first and help them feel secure.
The changes that go along with it often result in some stress and pain for a family. Children might experience sadness, worry, regret, and longing for the family to remain intact. After learning that their parents plan to divorce, most kids go through some short-term behavioral or emotional issues too. However, most adjust well to their new family structure and tend to improve their behavior over the long term.
Helping children adjust
Since divorce is already stressful, you need to avoid adding even more stress to your child’s life. Minimize the amount of conflict with your ex throughout the divorce process too. And don’t let anger towards your spouse interfere with addressing your child’s emotional needs. Divorce often results in changes to your child’s daily life. Kids need your empathy about what it’s like to experience such changes. Don’t let negative feelings about your ex affect your relationship with your child—or your child’s relationship with her or his other parent.
While going through a divorce, you’ll also need to focus on how you’ll co-parent in joint-custody arrangements. In a collaborative, co-parenting arrangement, you’ll continue to share responsibility—providing emotional, physical, and financial support—for your children. As collaborative co-parents, you’ll need to respect the role of the other parent in your children’s lives. So you need to trust your ex as a parent. While it doesn’t mean you have to be friends, it does mean you have to be respectful. This post-divorce parenting approach helps put your children’s needs before your own.
Effective co-parenting
Co-parenting means recognizing that you both have good parenting skills and traits. It isn’t a competition of who can be a “better parent.” Instead, the aim is to continue sharing the responsibilities of raising your children and putting their needs first.
• Refrain from bad-mouthing your ex in front of your child.
• Support your child’s relationship with his or her other parent and help them stay connected.
• Keep referring to the other parent as “mom” or “dad.” This maintains respect for your ex.
• Don’t undermine the other parent’s authority.
• Attend your child’s events even when your ex is present. • Let your child speak for herself/himself.
• Don’t ask your child to spy on your ex.
Putting children first Divorce is a big adjustment for all families, especially those with children. Work hard to prioritize your children’s needs throughout the divorce process. And establish an effective, respectful co-parenting relationship with your ex. Doing so will help ensure your kids adjust well. For assistance with Psychological Health information please contact me: Lisa Delgado, Director of Psychological Health, 413.557.2456