Children and Divorce: Things to Consider
- Posted on: Sep 24 2018
Divorce can be difficult for everyone involved—especially children. Often, married couples get so focused on the divorce itself that their children become an afterthought. Fortunately, however, there are a number of ways to reduce the impact of divorce on children, including:
1. Mediation – Mediation allows parties to avoid the rigors and stresses of the courtroom. During mediation, parties work together to create their own divorce agreements with little to no court intervention. And since mediation is less adversarial than the traditional divorce process, it tends to reduce the stress experienced by any children involved.
2. Awareness – Every child reacts in his or her own way to divorce. And unfortunately, many children act out in negative ways as a result of divorce. Negative behaviors caused by divorce can include:
- Appetite changes
- Problems in school
- Problems at home
- Mood changes
If any of the above behaviors are observed during or after the divorce process, it is important for parents to act immediately. For example, when negative behaviors are observed, parents should consider consulting with a child psychologist or counselor for guidance on how to proceed. Often, professional assistance can prevent small problems from becoming big ones. However, when parents fail to be observant, behavior changes can go unchecked, developing into serious issues that may have been prevented with early intervention.
3. Avoidance of parental alienation – Parental alienation is a form of psychological manipulation that occurs when one parent says negative things about the other parent in front of his or her child, often resulting in the child developing a poor opinion of the disparaged parent. Unfortunately, parental alienation is common in divorce situations. In addition to affecting a child’s opinion of his or her mother or father, parental alienation can impact child custody decisions if discovered by the court. Therefore, in order to avoid the negative ramifications of parental alienation, parents going through the divorce process should keep all communications with their children positive.
Virginia Family Law Attorneys
At Walker Jones, PC, we understand how hard divorce can be on families and their children. Therefore, if you are considering getting a divorce in Virginia, please contact the experienced Virginia family law attorneys at Walker Jones, PC, as soon as possible. With offices in Warrenton, Virginia, and Washington, Virginia, Walker Jones, PC, is available to handle all of your Northern Virginia family law needs. Whether you are seeking a divorce or just need general family law advice, our award-winning attorneys will give your case the personal and professional attention that it deserves. At Walker Jones, PC, we utilize our experience and knowledge while vigorously pursuing your case in the courtroom, at the settlement table, or in negotiations. Regardless of your situation, our goal is always to achieve the best outcome possible. If you need family law assistance in Virginia, please contact us today to schedule a private consultation.
Walker Jones, PC Serves Clients Throughout Virginia Including Fauquier, Rappahannock, Culpeper, Loudoun, Prince William, Fairfax, Arlington, Alexandria, Warren, Winchester, Frederick, Clarke, Stafford, Spotsylvania, Fredericksburg, Madison, Orange, And Albemarle.
Posted in: Family Law
