Traditionally, child custody cases have often been settled in favor of the mother. Thankfully, this tradition has started to change. Fathers have rights and they have a crucial role to play in the upbringing of their children.
Whether or not your custody case has gone according to plan, there are still a number of ways that you can stay close with your children after divorce. Outlined below are a few important things to consider doing:
Lead by example
Hopefully, you and your co-parent have been able to remain amicable throughout the divorce proceedings. This can make it much easier to come up with a parenting agreement that works for everyone.
Even if this is not the case, you can still lead by example. If your co-parent is constantly trying to fight with you, try not to get sucked in. One of the worst things for children post-divorce is to see their parents fighting. They often blame themselves and become disruptive, isolated and unhappy as a result. If you sense that things are getting heated with your co-parent, walk away and return when everything has cooled off.
Think about where you live
You may have dreamed about going to work abroad for a while, and divorce might have opened up some career opportunities. However, timing is crucial in scenarios like this. Nobody is saying that you have to drop your career, but is it possible to hold off on a big move for a while? Your child may think that it’s a reflection on them and that you want to get away from them.
By staying close, you let them know that you are there whenever they need you. Even if you have to go away geographically, that doesn’t mean there needs to be an emotional distance with your child. Why not utilize technology such as video calls, emails and social media, to let your children know that you’re never too far away.
It can be difficult to adjust to life as a divorced father, but both you and your children can still thrive in this situation. Make sure that you have sought out legal guidance so that your rights as a father are always upheld.
