Divorced parents are prone to overthinking, especially concerning their children’s well-being. Whether a divorce is contentious or not, a parent may develop a heightened sense of responsibility and feel uneasy in situations beyond their control.
Visiting schedules with the other parent may bring anxiety. Some may have dealt with a history of unreliability or abuse. Others may experience unfounded fears like abandonment.
Depending on the circumstances, parents can explore coping strategies or legal remedies to ease their worries and ensure the safety of their children.
Coping strategies
Dealing with anxiety isn’t possible without a measure of internal struggle. If these anxieties are subjective, a parent may want to explore coping strategies, such as:
- Staying connected: Scheduling calls or video chats with your child while they’re away can provide reassurance. Reasonable requests for additional updates from your ex-spouse can also help.
- Building trust: It can be crucial to trust that the other parent also has your child’s best interests at heart. Getting to this point may require building a support system composed of friends and family.
- Practicing mindfulness: Research has proven that meditative techniques help manage anxiety. Shifting to a more positive mindset can instill healthier emotional and situational responses.
Coping with anxiety should not be an isolating process. It works best when it is a product of collective effort.
Legal remedies
When actionable steps are in order due to reasons such as the other parent’s behavior or direct violations of child custody agreements, a parent can look into legal remedies such as:
- Child custody modifications: A parent may file to revise their child custody order if they can prove it is necessary for the child’s well-being.
- Restraining orders: If the child requires immediate protection from abuse or neglect by a parent, the other parent can seek a restraining order.
- Parental alienation prevention: If a parent suspects that the other parent is turning their child against them, they can pursue legal actions.
- Therapeutic interventions: If addressing underlying issues is needed, the parent can request court-ordered family therapy to improve the co-parenting relationship.
Consulting a child custody attorney can help determine whether legal action is necessary and understand how each option can affect the family. Protecting your child doesn’t have to come at the cost of your well-being. Finding what works best for you, your child, and your ex-spouse can start your next chapter on a positive note.