By Julie Garrison
Special to DadsDivorce.com
When divorced parents engage in shared parenting, they are building in a buffer against violence, molestation, suicide and health problems in their children.
Statistically, children with divorced parents who are both actively participating in the parenting process are happier, more secure, and more adjusted at home, in school, in clubs, in sports, with friends, and in all aspects of their lives.
- The children of divorced parents fare significantly better when they spend parenting time with both parents. Children who regularly do this have fewer injuries, less asthma, less headaches, and less speech defects than the children who are raised primarily by one parent.
- Most children who are victims of molestation come from single-parent homes where they are living with one parent the majority of the time.
- Children from single-parent homes have higher high school dropout rates, higher rates of suicide, and more problems relating to their peers.
Related Article:
Children Observe Compromise
Children of divorced parents who are involved in shared parenting see compromise being exercised between their parents. This role modeling will serve these children well throughout the duration of their lives.
Here is an excerpt of one divorced dad’s account of his successful co-parenting situation:
“In a funny kind of way it has given the kids a sense of stability. They know where they’ll be at any given time, if they’ve got something coming up they see whether they’ll be with mom or dad and talk to that person about it…We were determined to make it work for the children. It has certainly healed any rift we might have had. We talk regularly, we talk about school things. Another upside is that it allows the non-custodial parent time out in their week off and time to do all the things they want to pursue.”
If divorced parents can find the strength within themselves to work together for the sake of their children, these children will reap the benefits of positive co-parenting for the rest of their lives.
Julie Garrison has been writing articles and short stories for the past 10 years and has appeared in several magazines and e-zines.
