One of the most difficult aspects of a divorce in North Carolina is trying to deal with the impact of the situation on your children. This is a huge change for them. They did not make the decision to split up the family. There are probably a lot of emotions involved, and they may not be happy with you or their other parent. It can lead to many issues when it comes to visitations.

If you are not the custodial parent, you will likely have set visitation times to see your kids. This can be tough to everyone because it is a totally new situation. It disrupts their normal routine. That can be hard on a child. So, what can you do to make things easier?

Nemours explains that above all else, you should always put your children first. It is no longer about how you feel or what you want. You need to defer to the children. If they are upset, recognize that. Encourage open communication. Focus on doing what is best for your children above all else.

You should be ready to adjust to their needs. This means schedules may not always flow as they should. Be ready for cancellations or changes. You need to understand that your child has things to do, such as sports, and be ready to adjust to allow time for them.

You need to be willing to explore options. Talk to your kids about what they want. However, never fight with the other parent in front of the kids or use the children in your arguments. Keep conversations focused on what is in the best interests of the children.

Finally, just give your kids time to adjust. They have to get used to this new normal. This information is for education and is not legal advice.