The Importance Of Family During A Divorce

Earlier this year, 53% of Filipinos agreed to legalize divorce. According to government statistics, marriage annulments have grown steadily over the past decade, with more than 10,000 filed in 2017. Therefore, should the divorce bill be given the green light, thousands of Filipinos will need to deal with the financial pressure of their marriage ending, as well as the emotional impact that divorcing couples in already experience. However, one thing which should never be sacrificed is valuable time with your family.

Have a set routine in place

During a divorce, it’s worth having a set routine in place so that everyone knows what they’re doing and when. Having a legal agreement set up is wise as it reduces the risk of both parties breaching their agreement. This leading Scottsdale divorce attorneys firm state that when divorce papers have been issued “it is critical to speak with an attorney immediately to assess your legal rights and take the necessary steps to protect them.” The advantages of doing this include being able to plan great family days out as well as being able to schedule in some well deserved ‘me’ time. Studies show that divorced women have a 27% decrease in their standard of living, while, 25% of men feel lonely and isolated as a result of their divorce. Therefore, finding ways to improve your quality of life, such as attending social events and participating in regular exercise is beneficial.

Save the paperwork until later

Divorce comes with countless paperwork which can be time consuming to fill in. But it’s important not to let the form filling take over your time with your children. Instead, save it for when they’re in bed, at school or when they’re with your former spouse and preserve your energy for your kids. This is particularly important as research has shown that children from non-nuclear families are 50% more likely to have emotional and behavioral problems. Therefore, it’s essential that quality time is spent with your children and that you identify and deal with undesirable behaviors as and when they present.

Remember you’re still a family

Despite your divorce, you and your ex will always be your children’s parents. It’s important to push your feelings to one side, put your kids first and still do things as a family to prevent anyone from missing out. A study by Pett et al revealed that children whose parents are divorced are more likely to lose their family rituals. And, while days out together at the beach might be a thing of the past, every effort should be made to celebrate special occasions, such as birthdays and Christmases together to ensure that family traditions continue for years to come.

There’s no denying that divorce can be be a stressful and time-consuming journey. However, during such a time, it’s important to factor in quality family time as this will benefit both you and your children. Be sure to have a strict routine in place with your former spouse, hold off on completing paperwork while your kids are around and, most of all, remember that you’re still a family unit.