When parents of school-aged children divorce, care must be taken to ensure that the children are not negatively affected. A divorce attorney can draft a parenting plan to avoid unnecessary conflict for the child.
A good parenting plan for children six to eight years old should:
- Allow for time with both parents
- Create consistent schooling or care
- Avoid conflicts
- Involve the assistance of a therapist, in more difficult situations
Time With Both Parents Is Important for School-Aged Children
It is important the child does not feel the need to chose one parent over the other. Your attorney will help you draft a parenting plan that includes time with both parents and reduce the risk of the creation of any form of loyalty conflict for the child.
School-aged children are at the maturity level where they may be able to spend approximately five days away from their primary homes. Children should be granted the opportunity to spend time with the other parent for extend time frames, if tolerated by the child.
It is also important that neither parent blames or casts a negative light on each other. It may be best to provide the child as little information regarding the divorce as possible. The child should be given the ability to create a bond with both parents.
Consistency
Using a consistent structure attempts to shield the child from feeling any form of guilt. Children are more aware of their surroundings and some even blame themselves for their parents divorce.
School-aged children are at a stage where they are constantly developing and become more aware of themselves. Thus, is it important the child remains in the same school environment. It is also beneficial for the child if both parents attend school functions.
Children of divorced parents may misbehave or attempt to get out of going to school. Even a child who once loved school may begin to become intolerant of school activities. Your lawyer will help you draft an effective parenting plan that will address this issue as well.
We Can Help
For help with creating a parenting plan, please call Lisa Zonder at (818) 309-7059.