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.
Kids thrive on consistency and when parents are on the same page when it comes to the consequences of bad behavior, it may be easier for the child to understand what will happen if he or she does something wrong. If parents suspect a child is acting out because he or she is having problems coping with the divorce, the child may need to see a therapist to help process life changes. If each parent is a good role model in their respective homes, that behavior may be modeled by the child.
Team work is integral in raising a happy, well-adjusted child. When parents work to process the feelings associated with their divorce, it may help their children as well. A Connecticut family law attorney may not only provide information on the laws that govern divorce and child custody, but may be able to provide the names of other who may be able to help in contentious issues like child discipline by providing the names of other experts — like family therapists — who may be able to offer advice.