The final installment of my three-part series on Relationship Advice from a Divorce Attorney deals with the topic of kids and families.
Keep reading to learn what family-related topics you should discuss with your partner before deciding to get married and how to deal with a failing marriage when you have children. And if you need help navigating the process of divorce and co-parenting, contact the expert lawyers at Andalman & Flynn.
Relationship Tips Regarding Marriage, Families & Children
- Talk about kids before having them. You wouldn’t believe how common it is for people to get married even though they may not be on the same page about having kids because one person thinks he or she can convince the other person to change his or her mind. This is simply one of those things that you’re either on the same page or you’re not. While you’re at it, it’s important to talk about other kid-related things such as—how will you divide the work? What do you expect your life to look like with a kid? Will one of you be a stay-at-home parent, and if so, for how long? How will you balance the day-to-day struggle of work and family? What religious upbringing do you expect to give your children? Do you want your kids to go to private or public school?
- Discuss the in-laws. How will your extended families play a part in your marriage? How will you juggle holidays and special events? What are your expectations as to how often you will spend time with the in-laws? It is important to set boundaries and have clear expectations about this issue before walking down the aisle. Fights over extended family are a common cause of marital problems and frustration.
- Don’t “stay in the relationship” for the kids. Almost everyone agrees that it’s better for the kids for their parents to separate and have a good co-parenting relationship rather than live in the same house and hate each other.
Remember: marriage has many benefits, but it is not without its difficulties. Be prepared to work for your marriage because, if you aren’t, you might end up working even harder to get through a divorce.
Going through a Separation or Divorce? Contact Us Today
Even when you do everything right, sometimes marriages just don’t work out. If you’re beginning the process of separation or seeking a divorce in the state of Maryland, the divorce attorneys at Andalman & Flynn are here to walk you through the process. We know that divorces are especially difficult when there are children involved, and we’re here to help you every step of the way. Contact attorney Kate McDonough today at 301-563-6685 or kmcdonough@a-f.net for a consultation.
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