Double Home Survival Strategies After Divorce

Divorce is never easy, but it is especially tough on kids. School-aged kids are already under tremendous peer pressure, and the weight of a divorce just adds to the confusion. Parents have a duty to help ease them into the new living arrangements created by the split. The following five simple tips can get you started.

Establish Parental Roles
Studies have shown that it’s best for the custodial parent to drop the kids off at the visiting parent’s new home. And when the visit is over, it’s equally important for the visiting parent to return the children back to the permanent home. This ensures that the one parent does not interrupt important moments with the other, which can completely destroy all hopes for a wonderful exchange. The smoother the transition, the happier everyone will be.

Packing Woes: Keep Some Basics at Both Homes
Constantly packing and repacking can be physically and emotionally exhausting for everyone. Some things will need to be continuously carted back and forth – such as a favorite toy, homework, and certain changes of clothes. But other things can easily be stocked at both places. Keeping pajamas, play clothes, a toothbrush, hair supplies, and entertainment on hand at the non-custodial or joint-custodial parent’s abode can ensure a smooth and stress-free transition for everyone involved.

Try to Familiarize Both Homes
Your Michigan divorce lawyer can help you divide assets to make step this easier, or you can attempt to handle it your own way. If your kid is partial to a certain picture in the living room, try to get a print for your new place. Take this a step further by letting your kids pick out paint colors, new bedding, even bath towels for the new place. After all, it’s their home, too.


Go to Parent Teacher Conferences and School Events Together
Teachers need to know you’re both still actively interested in the needs of your children. Positive co-parenting helps the school offset and redirect budding behavioral problems. Your children will harbor less embarrassment and resentment by seeing you both smiling and rooting them on in sports activities and plays. Your joint effort will make an enormous difference for everyone involved.

Set Routines and Rules
If new routines emerge based on different work schedules or living arrangement requirements, set those rules as soon as possible. (“At this home, we do things this way…”) Otherwise, try to keep your child's established routines as similar as possible at both homes. Bedtime schedules, TV habit, phone privileges, homework schedules, and extra-curricular activities should not have to change just because Junior’s spending the weekend at Dad’s new place. Of course, as your child grows and becomes involved in more activities, make an effort to resolve new scheduling conflicts and work with each other to find new visitation options.

If you’re in Macomb County, Michigan and need assistance, give us a call. We’re here to help the entire family during the confusing time during and after your divorce. Following these steps will lead to a smoother transition. But remember that signing the divorce papers doesn’t sign away your duties as a parent.

Before you split your child in two, contact Femminineo Attorneys for expert advice.

Femminineo Attorneys
Michigan Divorce Help
110 S Main St #200
Mt Clemens, MI 48043
United States
(586) 954-9500
http://www.michigandivorcehelp.com/