The Do’s and Don’ts of Divorce

A divorce is an unusually stressful and difficult time for all involved. Each spouse may at times be tempted to act in a less than rational or appropriate manner. Please read this list carefully and refer to it as necessary:

1. Do unto your spouse as you would have them do unto you.
2. Do consider the reaction to determine if the action is beneficial.
3. Don’t alienate the children from the other parent. Children need to love both parents regardless of how the parents feel about each other.
4. Don’t discuss your marital problems with your children. Please remember that you are the adults with adult resources to handle the stress. They are children with limited capacity to live with conflict. Urging a child, directly or indirectly, to take your negative feelings may have long-term negative consequences.
5. Do keep or maintain trust at all costs. 
6. Do pick up and return children at the time you have agreed upon. Once that trust is lost, it is extremely difficult to regain.