National Children’s Day: How to Minimize Conflict, Honor Kids When Divorcing

June 12 is National Children’s Day, a day on which we honor the children in our lives by slowing down and refocusing on important things. Collaborative Divorce recognizes the need to focus on children, not only in terms of divorce, but also how children develop their character and what parents need to keep in mind. Taking one day may not be enough, but using this one day as an opportunity to redirect behaviors may be an important step in a child’s life.

“Traditional litigated divorce often perpetuates and worsens conflict between parents, which can be associated with children’s diminished mental health, disruption in the parent-child bond, and children’s difficulty forming trusting relationships later in life,” said CCDG Mental Health Professional Wendy Habelow.

Habelow shares why Collaborative Divorce is a significantly better process for children and parents:

1. This process recognizes that parents – not attorneys, judges or court personnel – generally are the best decision makers for their children.
2. This process emphasizes civil, respectful and transparent communication in the services of less prolonged and destructive conflict.
3. This process makes use of professionals (mental health professionals, financial professionals and attorneys) who provide guidance and facilitate positive communication between parents that may serve as a model for healthy co-parent communication.

Less conflict during the divorce process often results in children who are more content and able to enjoy relationships with both parents freely and without guilt or anger.