You've decided it's time. You've spoken with a Georgia divorce attorney about whether a contested divorce or uncontested divorce is appropriate in your situation and you're ready to take the next step.
As you consider who will keep what from the home, the cars, the retirement accounts, investments, and savings, it's more likely that if you have children, custody, visitation, and support will take over much of the process of your divorce. And rightly so, it should. Georgia child custody attorneys will also agree with you: your children are the most important consideration in your divorce.
But, there is more than just child support and child custody to consider. Often parents overlook just how much of an impact a divorce has on their children. As you're going through the spectrum of emotions related to divorce, it's important not to overlook that your children are too.
Executive Director of Kids' Turn, a non-profit organization focusing on divorce education for both parents and children, Claire N. Barnes suggests that often parents aren't aware that:
- Your children do notice that life is changing. Even if you and your soon-to-be-ex-spouse make a point of not fighting in front of your kids, they know something's not right. Be aware of your body language, your tone and even the look on your face when you talk about the other parent to or in front of your children.
- Your children may think that the divorce is their fault. Particularly with younger children, the idea that the child played a role in the divorce or even caused it to happen can stick with a child for a long time. Take the time to remind your children that what's going on between you and their father or mother is not their fault.
- Your children will struggle to deal with the divorce. Just as you may be going through a range of emotions, so are your children. Children are tough and can get through a lot, but they need your help and may need outside assistance in the form of therapy or counseling, to understand what is going on with the family.
Above all, children react to how their parents are behaving both before, during and after a Georgia divorce. Taking steps to minimize conflict between you and your ex-spouse may go a long way in helping your children work through the changes that are coming.