While divorce can be particularly hard on anyone, those couples with children can find the process especially grueling during child custody battles. In these cases, while the idea is to make decisions based on what is the best for the children, there are plenty of cases where a parent puts their wants ahead of their children. In some cases, these parents sadly even start to use the children as financial pawns. When this happens — or there is just a lot of arguing — the results can be particularly traumatic for children.
This being said, especially when parents are arguing, some wonder if it’s better for children for their mom and dad to just stay in an unhappy marriage. However, the truth is that even in cases where parents are acting like they get along for the sake of the kids, the children can still often see right through what is going on and are just as unhappy as their parents with the situation.
This is why the advice is to reach some sort of agreement when it comes to child custody and visitation right away.
For parents who are going through a divorce and having a hard time reaching an agreement, in some situations mediation can help. With mediation, each parent is able to sit down with lawyers and other experts who are trained in talking through matters to find an arrangement each parent can agree with. Of course, if this doesn’t work, the issue of child custody can also be taken to court.
Source: Huffington Post, “Custody Thoughts,” Mark A. Barondess, Sept. 20, 2012
- Our firm has experience handling both mediation and trials. To learn more, please visit our St. Louis divorce mediation page.
