Divorce is a difficult adjustment for everyone, especially for children. But parents can help their children cope by staying as positive as possible and being creative particularly when it comes to custody arrangements.
The trend in custody arrangements is moving away from the “every-other-weekend-and-alternate-holidays” model toward co-parenting. In the past, we thought the less we interrupted a child’s home life the better, and we were convinced that constantly moving children between two different homes added to their stress. Research has proven that wrong.
A study published last year in the Journal of Epidemiology & Community Health confirmed that, in cases of divorce, children who spent equal time with both parents displayed significantly fewer psychosomatic problems than those who lived primarily in single-parent homes.*
Successful co-parenting arrangements require patience, cooperation between parents, and thinking outside the box.
Alternating Weeks: One option is for children to spend one week with mom and the next with dad, choosing the transition or hand-off day that’s most convenient for all involved. For younger children, a mid-week visit with the other parent can be helpful.
The Rotation Schedule: Pick a formula – 2-2-3 or 3-3-4-4 or some other combination that ensures children get to spend both weekdays and weekends with each parent at some point during the month. Here’s what this arrangement might look like:
Week 1: Monday and Tuesday – Mom, Wednesday and Thursday – Dad, Friday, Saturday and Sunday – Mom Week 2: Monday and Tuesday – Dad, Wednesday and Thursday – Mom, Friday, Saturday and Sunday – Dad
Even well-intended arrangements may need adjustment. Factors that may warrant an adjustment to your custody arrangement include:
It’s important to note that changes to court-ordered custody arrangements require approval of the court. Your divorce attorney or mediator can help you reach the custody arrangement that works best for your family and adjust those arrangements as the need arises. – Victor Rotolo
*Source: “This Divorce Arrangement Stresses Kids Out Most,”
I was very proud to be represented by Tony and felt secure at a time I needed a compass to head out of a difficult bind. Confidence in your counsel and a sense of security in understanding how best to proceed are important reasons to consider Anthony Kearns and his team of outstanding lawyers.
Tony was excellent! He was knowledgeable, responsive and on-time. His experience as a County Prosecutor definitely helped our case as he knows how the legal system works and how to navigate. I highly recommend Tony and his office.
Thankfully I found Kearns Rotolo Law and I had a wonderful experience working with Charles Rifici on a difficult divorce/child custody issue. I am so grateful for all the work and guidance he provided. He always took his time and diligently went through all my options with me so I could make the decisions that benefitted my family and I. I will be forever thankful for the top notch services he provided.
In March of 2022 I contacted Kearns Rotolo Law Firm with an urgent problem, Mr. Kearns and Mr. Rotolo contacted me immediately to give me hope as to rectify my problem. The end result was Mr Kearns was able to solve my issue through extreme professionalism, I am very grateful I found Kearns Rotolo Law firm and I would recommend their law firm to anyone that has a less extreme problem or a more complex problem, I am very grateful for their services.
I met with Mr. Kearns yesterday about a devastating situation affecting our family. Mr. Kearns and his entire staff made us feel extremely comfortable and showed our family a compassionate side that gave us comfort in the most uncomfortable of situations. Thank you very much. God Bless.