Connecticut Family Law Blog

Raising children can be hard even when both parents are living in the same household. But when parents are divorced and the kids are shuffled between two abodes, issues surrounding discipline may crop up. Even if Connecticut parents have issues between themselves, when they put those on the back burner and focus on their children's best interests, it may be much easier to co-parent using family law guidelines, and that includes what to do when it comes to correcting children's untoward behavior.

Discipline often gets relegated to the end of the line when parents are competing with each other for their children's affection. Children aren't stupid and they may catch on how to play a parent to get what they want. Once parents realize this may be happening, they can put a stop to it by coordinating their parenting efforts. It is never all right to criticize the other parent's disciplinary actions in front of a child. This is something parents should discuss in private.

There seems to be an app for everything these days, so why not one to make breaking up less painful? Well, there is that. Connecticut couples who have made the decision to divorce might want to check out Amicable. This app  touts itself as a one-stop shop for divorce, childcare and financial arrangements.

This digital divorce coach says it can help users through tough, emotional times. Essentially, developers of the app say it can whittle down time-consuming processes that could take up to nine months to about six weeks -- things like processing and converting legal documents. The app also claims it can help couples to iron out differences and come to amicable (hence the app's name) resolutions.

As little as 40 years ago, a couple splitting up was talked about it hush-hush tones. Today, albeit sadly, divorce is pretty common and doesn't have the stigma attached to it like it once did. In fact, there are some people -- in Connecticut as well -- who actually celebrate their new-found freedom by having a divorce party. It can also be a way for them to pay homage to the marriage, no matter how long it lasted.

Ceremonies and rituals have always been a part of the human condition -- whether it has been to celebrate a beginning or an ending. So, why should divorce be any different? If the couple parted amicably and are still friends, they may even choose to host such an event together. It may be a way for the couple to express to their friends that both of them want those friendships to remain and they don't have to take sides.

Giving divorce news to children can be heartbreaking. But as difficult as that is likely to be, it's important that both parents in Connecticut to share the burden together even if they find it nearly impossible to be in the same room with each other. Having both parents tell them about the divorce is what's best for the children. Telling them plainly and simply and without malice so they will understand is the best bet. Simply saying that mom and dad can't live in the same house anymore may be all that's needed for a child to get it. 

Kids need to know they're not to blame for their parents splitting up. They need to know they're still loved and that both parents will be there for them if that is indeed the case. Putting children of the middle of any squabbles is not fair to them, nor is it emotionally healthy. Not keeping kids in the dark about the changes they will be going through is one way of helping them to cope and to come to terms with their soon-to-be new lifestyle.