When you’re a divorced father with young children it is always difficult to find ways to stay relevant in their lives and play an important role, especially if there’s animosity between you and your ex-wife. Still, with a time sharing agreement in place, you will be able to spend time with them during their school holidays. One of the ways you can play a bigger part in your kids’ lives is to try and do something that will help them to think of you frequently. This will help you to forge an emotional connection that will stand you in good stead with your children, even if you’re not physically there.
For instance, during the summer, when your children will be staying with you for a few weeks, at least, you might take them on tours or outings that combine both fun and also learning opportunities for the coming academic year. Having an insight into the workings of machinery, biology, chemistry or mathematical principles will help them shine in school, and also think of you in a positive and proud way. You can also be assured that in case of any extra help with projects, they will call on you. You can help them prepare in other ways too: like helping them to get back into the school term routine of getting up early and having breakfast; getting dressed without help and managing independently to get organized for school in the mornings.
The part you play in the emotional and physical well-being of your child should be clearly spelled out in the time sharing agreement. If your child is entering middle school or high school, they will have other challenges to cope with in the academic year apart from the regular issues. In case of middle school, they have to cope with a new school system where they may have to study under six different teachers, attend different classes, get used to the locker system, manage peer pressure and cope with the highs and lows of puberty. It can be a confusing time for most kids without having to deal with a broken family, step-parents or step-siblings. As a father, any help, advice, input and moral support you can give will be quite valuable to your child in his young teenage years.
If your child is entering high school, there are even more pressures such as facing intense peer pressure to conform. Having a car, doing well in school without being labeled a nerd or geek, having a steady girlfriend or boyfriend, being popular with a clique of friends are rites of passage for high school students. As their father, your duty doesn’t end with signing the child support checks, but also to being emotionally available if they need you. Your young adults need all the help and guidance as they maneuver through these potentially difficult times while also coping with college tests such as the SAT, career choices and college applications.
Kenny Leigh & Associates is a Florida law firm of divorce lawyers. We handle divorce cases, child custody and child support, alimony and other aspects of the Florida divorce law. We represent men only; we are passionate about fighting for the men’s rights in the family courts which always show preferential treatment to women, especially in divorce cases involving young children. We work hard to get the men a fair deal at the family courts of Florida. We operate from different locations like Jacksonville, Gainesville, Boca Raton, Fleming Island, Ocala and Daytona Beach. Call us or step into one of our offices today if you’re a man thinking of divorce!
By Kenny Leigh
