Tips for making joint custody arrangements work

It isn’t uncommon for parents to share custody of their kids after a divorce. This is because children being raised in North Carolina and throughout the country tend to fare better when both parents are in their lives. There are several steps that you can take to ensure that sharing custody is a positive experience for yourself and your children.

You will need to be flexible

When crafting a parenting plan, be sure to take your work schedule and other commitments into account. It is also important to consider a child’s age, personality and social commitments when creating such a custody schedule. In some circumstances, you may be able to see your children two or three times each week. However, you may also need to be open to having custody of your children on alternating weeks. As your kids get older, it will likely be necessary to make changes to a parenting arrangement to better meet their needs.

Your former spouse can make a great parent

While your former spouse may not have been ideal as a partner, he or she can still be a great parent to your child. In most cases, your child will want to have as much contact with both parents as possible. It is your job to make sure that your child has as many caring adults in his or her life as possible.

Don’t say anything bad about your ex

You should never say anything negative about your former spouse in front of your kids as they tend to take whatever their parents say to heart, which means that they may start to believe those negative words. Over time, this could cause unnecessary tension between your child and your former spouse.

Even if you aren’t awarded custody of a child after a divorce, there is still a chance that you will be allowed to have a significant role in his or her life. A lawyer may help you obtain maximum parental rights to your son or daughter.