Trying to plan ahead and implement certain things to make life easier is probably on the minds of many here in Illinois who are going through the process of formally ending a marriage. This can especially be true for any parents who are facing the prospect of a divorce. Regardless of the unique circumstances involved from case to case, keeping the children happy and as stress-free as possible post-divorce is most likely a top priority for all spouses in these situations.
Since the majority of custody arrangements in Illinois typically involve allocating a certain amount of parental responsibilities and parenting time to both parents, establishing as efficient of a co-parenting relationship as possible can prove invaluable to everyone in the equation. The following are some tips that could potentially help bring this reality to fruition:
- Establish boundaries: Planning for important and sometimes contentious topics, such as birthdays and holidays, along with respectfully communicating about what other individuals can spend quality time with the children can decrease the odds of future conflict.
- Implement a monthly co-parenting schedule: Using a monthly calendar can allow both parents to coordinate better and handle the children’s daily activities.
- Avoid speaking negatively about the other parent around the children: This can cause the children to feel an unnecessary level of stress and limit how much they communicate to each parent in an attempt to avoid upsetting one about the other.
- Utilize self-care practices: Parents can recharge and refresh themselves by taking advantage of activities such as exercising, certain social activities, reading, and seeking therapy for mental health support if needed.
Finally, there is professional help and assistance readily available in the event that an unresolvable issue arises or a change to an existing custody order is needed. An experienced Illinois family law attorney can provide much-needed peace of mind by answering all of a client’s questions and concerns while carefully determining the best plan of action for achieving the desired outcome.