We are going through an extraordinary time in history, a crisis that has great impacts all over the world. The Coronavirus pandemic is affecting not only people, but communities, businesses and society as a whole. It’s a stressful an overwhelming time for everyone, but probably more so on families that are going through divorce, which is already a heavy situation to deal with.
In this episode of Divorce, Healthy! attorney and author Ashley-Nicole Russell, of ANR Law, speaks to Dr. Jeff Gardere, America’s Psychologist and co-producer of the Erasing Families documentary about the best way to co-parent during times of crisis. He stresses the need to pay attention to your children’s needs even more as things are uncertain and unstable.
For co-parents who are still harboring ill feelings as a result of the litigation system, now is the best time to set them aside and choose to show a united front to the kids. They look to you for stability, so it’s necessary that you model that to them at this time. Go above your pride and humble yourself for the sake of the kids. Now is not the time to shrink into your own head.
He also advises co-parents to start communicating and discussing family plans, what they need to do in order to keep the children’s emotional, physical and mental well-being safe and protected. If you feel like you haven’t been doing a good job at co-parenting, then you can make the change right now. Additionally, keep in mind that your kids are watching, so don’t invite animosity and keep the negative talk about your ex-spouse away.
Dr. Gardere also shares a silver lining amid what’s going on, and that it shows how society operates and that there is a collective effort to have empathy and take care of others. Many have been taking strides towards helping the community and being proactive. And what better way to influence your kids to do the same in the future than to start doing it with your co-parent today.
Learn more about Dr.Gardere at his website, www.drjeffgardere.com. You can also connect with him on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.
To inquire about speaking engagements, purchase your copy of Ashley-Nicole’s book “The Cure for Divorce Culture,” or to schedule your private orientation meeting, head to www.anrlaw.com. You can also find us on social media @ANRLaw. Find a better way forward, right here, on Divorce, Healthy!
