Going through divorce with child custody

Do you have a child under the age of 10?  Are you going through a divorce with child custody? If so, here are some tips for co-parenting younger children:

• Help them anticipate schedule changes.  First, divorce is a tough time with lots of changes.  Be sure you let the kids know when they will see the other parent and keep it consistent.
• Be supportive of their visits with the other parent.  Next, remember that children love the other parent and usually want to spend time with them.  Avoid derogatory remarks about the other parent or their family members.
• Don’t make your children “spies.”  Thirdly, too many probing questions about their visits with the other parent make many children feel like they are spying on their parents.  Of course we need to be sure the children are safe, but what time they went to bed and what they had to eat at every meal can become obsessive and intrusive.  Remember that the Tennessee Parenting Plan specifically states: “Each parent shall make decisions regarding the day-to-day care of a child while the child is residing with that parent, including any emergency decisions affecting the health or safety of a child.”
• Maintain a co-parenting relationship.  Communication should be business-like and should be limited to the needs of the children.  If you are having personal issues, you may need to try parallel parenting for a while.  Never use your children as messengers.
• Call them!  The Tennessee Parenting Plan incorporates the Rights of Parents under T.C.A. 36-6-101. Click here for all your Parental Rights during Divorce in Tennessee!
  One of those rights is the right to unimpeded telephone conversations with the child at least twice a week at reasonable times and for reasonable durations.

Mandatory Parenting Classes in Tennessee for divorce with child custody

MEMPHIS PARENTING CLASSES, dates and times.

Contact our office or come to our monthly free clinic for more information about the Tennessee Permanent Parenting Plan and how it can help you.