As you know, divorce is usually hard on children. You and your spouse have been separated for several weeks and you can already see signs that your children are suffering. They might be acting out, doing poorly in school, showing signs of depression or expressing worries that they are to blame. As you and other Texas couples in the middle of a divorce might suspect, the contention of a divorce can add a great deal of stress to young people’s shoulders.
Is there a way to end my marriage without the contention being too much for my kids, you might wonder? If you and your spouse can keep an open mind and discuss matters civilly without trying to undermine each other, you might consider divorce mediation. In addition to the benefits of being more cost-effective and less time-consuming than fighting it out in court, mediation can be especially effective if you have child custody or visitation matters but want to shield your children from the conflict.
Resolving your disputes through mediation may help you and your children in the following ways:
- Peaceful resolution techniques can keep your children from witnessing you and your spouse fighting with each other, both inside and outside a courtroom.
- You can learn ways to resolve arguments and make compromises, which may lead to amicable co-parenting in the coming years.
- You may be able to figure out a parenting arrangement that works best for you, your spouse and the children, without a judge interfering.
- You and your spouse may not get along, but the cooperation techniques you learn during mediation sessions may lead to the two of you being on friendlier terms later on.
When your children see both parents talking through their disagreements, they may feel better about the divorce and begin to heal. Divorce is never easy, but both parties being willing to communicate and compromise may make the situation better for everyone.