As a parent, it can be difficult to see your child going through changes in their custody order. It's important to remember that your child may have different feelings about the situation than you do. It is essential for parents to be aware of how their children will feel about the changes and prepare them for these changes in advance.
Talk With Your Child About the Changes
The first step is to talk with your child about the upcoming modifications. Explain why the change is happening, what it means for them, and how it will affect them. This will allow them to understand where they stand and that they are not alone during this transition.
Ensure you provide your child with a safe space to express themselves without fear of judgment or criticism. Letting them know it's okay to discuss their feelings openly can help them adjust more easily and quickly.
Be Patient With Your Child
It is important to remember that children may have different reactions when it comes to significant life changes like this one; some may become angry or sad, while others might act out or withdraw from activities they once enjoyed doing together as a family.
Be patient with your child and give them time and space if needed so they can understand and process their emotions at their own pace. You should also ensure that you listen carefully when your child shares their thoughts and feelings with you, rather than attempting to fix everything immediately or getting angry at them for feeling sure about the situation.
Encourage Your Child To Speak To Their Attorney
In some high-conflict situations, the court might appoint an attorney for your child, so it can get a better sense of what is in your child’s best interests. If your child has a court-appointed attorney, encourage your child to speak with them as well. The attorney can help your child explore and understand the changes to their custody order.
Encourage Self-Care
Self-care can look very different from person to person; however, encouraging activities such as reading, journaling, exercising, drawing/painting, or cooking/baking can all help your child process any emotions they are feeling while also providing an outlet for stress relief.
Depending on their age level, you can encourage self-care activities together as a family, such as going on walks or hikes outside or playing games. This can help keep your relationship strong during this challenging time by creating positive memories together, which will last long after the modification has been made official. Additionally, self-care activities can help boost self-confidence if done regularly over time!
New York Family Lawyers
Navigating changes in custody orders is never easy—for either parent or child—but preparing accordingly can help your family adjust to its new time-sharing situation. At Friedman & Friedman PLLC, Attorneys at Law, our attorneys are here to assist you as you pursue a modification to your child's custody arrangement. With almost 90 years of combined experience, our team understands that modifications can bring forth significant changes for all family members and are here to assist you.
Call us today at (914) 873-4410 to request a consultation with a member of our team. We are waiting for your call!