It is Up to Parents
There is nothing worse in the area of divorce and family law than to witness the disasterous effects that a divorce can have on children. Of course, it doesn't have to be that way. A big part of our focus is devoted to trying to reduce the pain of the divorce process by taking a more proactive, collaborative approach. This is especially important when children are involved.
With that in mind, this may be the most important blog post I ever make. I want to introduce a website I recently came across. It is free and it is called www.uptoparents.org.
This site allows parents going through a divorce to shift their focus to the well being of their children. Each parent separately reviews a list of commitments and makes a checkmark beside each one that (1) they recognize as important to their children's protection and (2) they are ready, willing and able to observe.
After that, the site generates a list of Agreed Commitments (the ones that both parties separately agreed were important for their children and to which they were committed to observing).
This is a powerful exercise that can make a major beneficial difference in the lives of the children of divorce. By completing the exercises and making these commitments each parent shifts their focus from conflict and competition to a cooperative parenting approach - and that is what each child of divorce needs and deserves.
I sincerely hope that any parent reading this that is going through a divorce will take a look at the site. Then, if your interest is truly what is best for your children, I hope that you and your spouse will complete the exercises and make these commitments for the sake of your children.