Generally speaking, teens are going through a lot of changes. Their parents getting a divorce will likely only complicate the process of raising a teenager. However, it is critical that parents continue to take a leading role in ensuring that their teens receive the guidance and care that they need. Part of accomplishing this goal is talking to the other parent on a regular basis.
While parents may not get along themselves, they have an obligation to keep each other informed about any issues that their teen faces. It is important that any problems at school or at home are dealt with in a timely manner. Otherwise, the teen may be indirectly handed power over the parents, which can lead to further bad behavior at home or at school.
Parents should understand that they have a responsibility to know who their teens are with at all times. This means getting to know who their friends are and ensuring that these friends are not bad influences. Teenagers should not be given too much freedom as it could be harmful to their emotional or physical health. However, it is important to give them an opportunity to show that they are mature enough to make some decisions on their own.
Whether a parent has custody or visitation rights, it is important that he or she can play a role in that child’s life. This may make it easier for a child or teen to seek emotional support or other guidance after the divorce is official. Generally speaking, children of all ages do better when they have both parents in their lives. An attorney may help a parent obtain or preserve his or her rights to a child.