Four Common Child Time-Sharing Conflicts
If you are an unmarried parent or one going through the process of a divorce in Fort Lauderdale, you will likely find yourself involved in child time sharing proceedings. While the goal is to protect the best interests of children by ensuring each parent remains an active part of their lives, it can create problems for the parties involved, particularly if they parted ways on less than amicable terms. The following highlights four common conflicts parents in this situation often experience.
Four Situations That Can Create Problems for Parents
Unless there are valid reasons to prevent it, the Florida Statutes encourage child time sharing arrangements which allow the child to divide the amount of time they spend between each parent. This includes weekdays, weekends, school breaks, holidays, and other special occasions. It is also likely to include provisions for attending school related or sporting events and other types of functions.
Implementing these plans requires the cooperation of both parents, which can prove challenging in cases where previous partners are on less than amicable terms. According to Psychology Today, the following are four common conflicts in child time sharing cases that often arise:
- Engaging In arguments during child exchanges.
While your goal may be to have the least amount of interaction with your former partner as possible, you will have to deal with them when dropping off or picking up your child after visits. Arguments can easily erupt if one of the parents is chronically late or uses this time to air grievances.
- Excessive communication with the child when with the other parent.
When child time sharing agreements dictate extended visits, it can prove challenging to not call, text, or email them during this time. However, while some communication is reasonable, going overboard can prove disruptive to the other parent and their ability to bond with the child.
- Using the child to send messages.
When parents are on poor terms with each other, they may be tempted to use the child to relay messages to the other parent. Unfortunately, this can have a very negative effect, putting increased pressure on them and placing them in the middle of adult disputes.
- Publicly airing dirty laundry.
Facebook and other social media sites can provide an outlet for unmarried or divorced parents to air grievances, assign blame or shame, or otherwise put people in a position to take sides. In addition to potentially having a negative impact on your children, it is an ineffective way to resolve disputes.
Contact Us Today for Help
Attorney Vanessa L. Prieto can help you avoid the above conflicts by creating a parenting plan that addresses these issues. Establishing ground rules, setting limits on interactions, and providing a clear course of action for resolving disputes can benefit both you and your child. To discuss your specific case and the actions we can take on your behalf, contact our Fort Lauderdale child time-sharing attorney and request a confidential consultation today.
Resource:
psychologytoday.com/us/blog/anxiety-zen/201709/marriages-come-and-go-high-conflict-divorce-is-forever
https://www.vanessaprietolaw.com/checklists-for-florida-child-time-sharing/
