HELPING YOUR KIDS  

Children can continue to grow and thrive if their parents insulate them from intense or prolonged hostilities.  Parents who accomplish this share some important qualities:

1.  They make it clear that they value their child’s relationship and time with the other parent.

2.  They work out a fair and practical timesharing schedule, either temporary or long-term, as soon as possible.

3.  Once that agreement is reached, they make every effort to live up to its terms.

4.  They tell each other in advance about necessary changes in plans.

5.  They are reasonably flexible in trading off to accommodate the other parents needs.

6.  They prepare the child, in a positive way, for upcoming stay with the other parent.

7.  They do not conduct adult business when they meet to transfer the children.

8.  They listen.

9.  They recognize that extreme parental conflict is toxic to children.