Rights to give your child during a divorce

California parents have a lot to deal with when going through a divorce. From determining how to split up all of their assets to determining child custody arrangements, divorce can be a highly emotional process. Unfortunately, many parents tend to withdrawal their focus from their children throughout the divorce. As a parent, it’s important to ensure that your child has some basic rights both during and after the divorce process.

The right to have a relationship with both parents

When you’re going through a divorce, it can be easy to think of all the bad things that your partner did. However, you need to keep your emotions within check as your child still sees your former spouse as their parent. It’s important for them to have a relationship with both parents as this fosters a healthy presence in the child’s life. It’s been proven that kids who have a relationship with both parents tend to have fewer mental health problems growing up.

The right not to be a messenger

When you’re in the thick of a divorce, you may not even want to speak to your former spouse. While it may be tempting to use your child as a messenger, you need to avoid doing so. You don’t want to be putting your child in the middle of the conflict and carrying that burden. Instead, you should establish a clear means of communication between you and your former spouse.

The right not to be a soundboard

You need to remain conscious about what you’re speaking about when your child is around. While you may want to express your feelings of stress, anger, grief or sadness regarding your divorce proceedings, it’s important to prevent your young children from worrying about adult matters. Stick to discussing your emotions regarding your divorce with other adults or even a therapist.

Going through a divorce can be an emotional process for both parents and children. As a parent, it’s important that you remember that your child is entitled to certain rights throughout the divorce process. You need to always be looking out for the best interest of your child.

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Have more questions about divorce? Check out our Divorce Q&A.