The growing up years involve a great deal of change and growth. As a child goes through school, sports and moving — among other things — he or she learns from his or her experiences. This happens through processes such as divorce and child custody, as well. Couples with children have to deal with creating an arrangement that best meets the needs of their children. Parents in Pennsylvania who have decided to get a divorce do not have to go through the process alone.
Many people look at a child custody arrangement as a challenging and stressful process that merely drains everyone involved. However, this does not have to be the case. More and more parents are choosing to work together to spend quality time with their children. Rather than one parent getting primary or sole custody, they create an arrangement that is based on joint or shared custody.
These arrangements require cooperation on the parts of both parents and can have beneficial effects on the lives of their children. Having their sense of security shaken by the stress of divorce can greatly affect a child. Being able to still spend time with both parents and seeing their parents work together can be a great sense of encouragement and reassurance for children caught in the middle of a divorce.
Although separating from someone whom one spent a great deal of time with can be immensely challenging, it is crucial to work together when children are involved. A process that will drastically affect their lives does not have to be negative. Forming and sticking to a child custody arrangement that is in the best interest of the child can make a major impact. Parents in Pennsylvania can seek assistance in order to best determine if a joint or shared custody arrangement is the best option for them.
Source: rgj.com, “Shared parenting: preventative medicine for kids”, Dr. Linda Nielson, March 3, 2015
