Getting a divorce can subject your kids to a lot of stress and confusion. That’s why it’s so important to focus on being the best parent possible during this tough time for your kids so that they can move on with their life just like you. Unfortunately, many parents fall victim to making some common parenting mistakes during a divorce. These mistakes can have a lasting impact on your children and your relationship with them. That’s why we’ve put together the following article to give you some insight into the parenting mistakes to avoid during your divorce. Remember that you can always reach out to The Johnson Law Firm & Associates for help during this challenging time of life.

1. Letting Your Child Decide Where They Want to Stay

One of the biggest parenting mistakes to avoid during your divorce is letting your child decide where they want to stay. Plenty of parents think that by letting their children choose which parent they want to stay with, they are taking a diplomatic approach. The truth is that making your children choose between one parent or the other can be intimidating and stressful for your kids. They don’t want you to think that they prefer one parent over the other. When you have your child make these kinds of decisions, you are essentially forcing them to pick sides. Try to avoid putting your kids in an awkward position like this during your divorce.

2. Talking Bad About the Other Parent


We all know that divorces can get ugly, especially when the couple is prone to arguing. One of the worst parenting mistakes to avoid during your divorce is talking bad about the other parent. Your children will pick up on the negativity from your comments about the other parent immediately. You don’t want to appear petty or emotionally unstable to your kids, especially during a stressful time during a divorce. Instead, try to be respectful to your spouse and set a good example for your children. That way, your kids can adjust to divorce in a healthy and natural way instead of constantly hearing you talk bad about the other parent. Remember that even though the marriage is over, parenthood is for a lifetime. You will still want to maintain a good relationship with your spouse after the marriage because your responsibilities as a co-parent will continue on.

3. Not Adhering to a Custody Plan

After the divorce is complete, you will probably have to decide on a custody plan or arrangement. That way, both parents will get to spend time with the kids. However, if you don’t follow the custody plan, you are doing your kids a major disservice. You are making your child’s life even more stressful and chaotic by not sticking to a regular routine during this challenging time in their life.

We hope this article has given you some great insight into what to avoid doing as a parent going through a divorce. Remember that you should always try to put your children first during a divorce.