The process of getting divorced in Texas can be difficult for the entire family, especially teen children. This is particularly the case if child custody is a sticking point for the two parents. However, research shows that, after divorce, the parents can maintain positive communication with their teen children, using communication methods such as FaceTime and texting.
In a recent study, researchers looked at data from about 400 divorced fathers and mothers with children in the age range of 10 to 18 years. They pinpointed three kinds of co-parenting relationships: conflictual, cooperative and moderately engaged. Then, they looked at what made the parents’ relationships with the children different in these three situations.
According to the researchers, inconsistent discipline, the parents’ understanding of their children, and parental closeness and warmth did not differ among the three co-parenting relationship types. Instead, the one thing that made a difference among the three types was the level of contact between the parents and the children. Specifically, the more that children made contact with parents, the better their relationships were regardless of how well the parents got along with each other.
During a divorce proceeding involving child custody, tempers can understandably flare between the parents. However, the best situation for the family is for the two parents to resolve their child custody and visitation issues outside of court, which may place less stress on the family and facilitate better post-divorce familial communication. An attorney in Texas can walk a divorcing parent through the process of completing an out-of-court proceeding, focusing on both the parent’s and the children’s best interests long-term.
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