Vi Ballard, MA, MFT # 35376
3424 W. Carson St., Suite 580
Torrance, CA 90503
310-373-7994
southbaytherapist.com

The following goals will help you redirect your focus from your conflict with the other parent to the needs of the children. I encourage you to include these in your parenting plan and in your mind and heart throughout the divorce process.

  • We will shield our children from conflict
  • We will not use our children as messengers or confidants.
  • We will keep child related issues completely separate from financial ones.
  • We will not criticize each other in front of our children.
  • We will nurture our children’s love for both of us.
  • We will agree beforehand exactly what information will

be shared with the children.

  • We will encourage our children to express their feelings, but we will make

the decisions.

  • We will willingly share information about our children’s well being,

schoolwork, activities and schedules.

  • We will make our best effort to have similar, consistent rules of conduct

our children.

  • We will reassure our children that they will continue to have two parents

who love them, and the failure of our marriage is in no way a result of   anything they have done or failed to do.

  • We will begin resolving child related issues in a way that reflects the values stated above as soon as possible, because our children will suffer emotional damage as long as we do not work to implement these goals.