If you share children with your former spouse, there is a good chance that you’ll remain an active part of their lives after your divorce becomes official. This is because New Jersey family courts generally want children to have relationships with both of their parents. However, this means that you will need to learn how to work with your former partner to do what is right for your offspring.
Your feelings are secondary to the needs of your children
Working with your former partner is much easier when you put any negative feelings that you have for that person to the side. Doing so allows you to focus solely on what is best for your children. Ultimately, you’ll be able to make decisions based on what your dependents need as opposed to what makes the other parent’s life harder.
Make sure that your children follow one set of rules at all times
It’s imperative that your kids understand what is expected of them at all times. Accomplishing this goal is much easier when your children must follow the same rules regardless of who they are with. For instance, if your child is supposed to go to bed at 8 p.m. while with your former spouse, they should go to bed at 8 p.m. while at your house as well.
Have a dispute resolution plan in place
Ideally, you’ll be able to resolve disputes with your former partner through a text, email or phone conversation. However, if a friendly chat isn’t enough to keep the peace, it may be a good idea to speak with a mediator before taking the matter to a family law judge.
The best interests of your children should be your top priority regardless of what you think about your former spouse. Ideally, you will be able to interact with each other in a calm, mature and reasonable manner. Doing so can make it easier for your children to grow up to become physically and emotionally mature adults.
