How to Best Protect Your Children

 When going through a divorce or seperation it is sometimes easy to overlook the small things that protect our children. In your parenting plan you need to address ALL issues regarding the child or children- not just the big issues, such as protective gear when playing sports. And which sports they are allowed to play.

Allowing your child to play football, hockey or other violent sport can either benefit or harm him, both emotionally and physically. It is important to hear all sides for what may involve conflicting interests.

 It is equally important that neither parent force a child to participate in sports that serve to model or redeem their own successes or failures in sports or even in life.

If the family can talk openly about wishes, desires and fears, these disagreements can be opportunities to speak about deeper issues.

 Since the family is in such transition, making decisions that acknowledge the family’s vulnerability can be an opening for healing.

It is critical that each family member has a voice and is allowed the time to explore and explain reasons behind a response. This means the decision making process includes really listening, valuing and considering each other’s perspective.

 Instead of saying NO! immediately to a request, leave the door open for discussion by saying, “Tell me more about why you want this.”

By discussing while designing the parenting plan  its important to remember, that this plan is meant to put the KidsFirst! not your own or worse to ‘get back at’ your ex.