Parenting can be difficult, and even more so after divorce. In today’s blog, our divorce attorney will be discussing how to avoid reactive parenting when making decisions.
When deciding how to handle vacations, holidays, and attending your child’s events, you may find yourself resisting the idea of having to see your former spouse. If your parenting behaviors are being influenced by your feelings about your divorce or your former spouse, you might be making reactive decisions.
Instead of spending your time feeling negative and avoiding your ex, take a proactive approach to parenting. This means that you make decisions based on the circumstances and how they will affect your child. Ask yourself these questions:
Is this a good parenting decision?- Am I protecting my child?
- Am I supporting my child’s growth?
- Am I allowing them to learn?
- Would I have made this same decision on behalf of my child if I was still married?
If you can answer yes to these questions, then you can probably trust that your decision is not being influenced by negative feelings from your divorce.
As long as you keep the best interest of your child as your primary concern, you can avoid being reactive in your parenting. Your relationship with your children will benefit in the long run.
For more information about proactive vs. reactive parenting, visit the Child Centered Divorce Blog.
For caring assistance with your divorce, contact Crystal Lambert-Schroeder here.