614-241-2174When Ohio parents divorce, there will be many changes to come as they sort out their co-parenting responsibilities and joint plans for the future. Many divorcing spouses want to make the transition for their children as easy as possible, minimizing emotional damage. They may work to develop a child custody or visitation plan that honors the role of both parents in the child’s life. However, there are some unique factors that come along with co-parenting teens. While teens are far more independent than younger children, they can be significantly affected by different issues after a parental divorce.
Teens may be less likely to hold out hope that their parents will get back together after divorce. However, because they are more likely to understand the issues between their parents, they may face even greater emotional challenges. In addition, married parents often struggle with parenting teens as young people challenge boundaries, seek independence and work through adolescence and puberty.
However, there are ways in which divorcing parents can work to make the co-parenting process more successful when teens are involved. Parents should continue to share information with each other, even though their teens are independent and able to converse with each parent. In some cases, neither parent may understand the full picture when information is not shared. In addition, it is important that parents continue to communicate directly rather than referring information through their teens just because they are older and more mature. At the same time, flexibility is more important than ever, especially when it comes to supporting a teen’s social and educational life.
Parents going through a divorce can forge a new relationship to care for their kids after divorce. A family law attorney may work with divorcing parents to negotiate a settlement that addresses issues like child support, child custody and visitation.