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Splitting Up Together
There’s a new show on television called “Splitting Up Together”. It’s about a couple with three children who decide to get divorced but continue to parent their children on an equal basis. While one parent lives in the house for the week, the other parent lives in a fixed up, detached garage in the backyard. Then the next week they switch places. In this case, the garage is separate enough for each parent to have his or her own space but close enough that the parents can help each other with the children, when necessary. For the most part, the arrangement seems to work, although I’ve only seen through episode 3.
The arrangement these parents adopted is called “nesting” and seems to work for them. In the last episode the father is having difficulty handling his young teenage daughter. During Dad’s week in the house, his daughter is the only female as she has two brothers. Dad gets frustrated with his daughter in that he spends his week being called out for not cooking meals, ordering take out each night, not doing the laundry and leaving the house a mess. Finally, out of frustration, Dad walks across the backyard to ask Mom for advice. It seems he doesn’t quite know what to do with his suddenly grown up daughter.
During the half hour episode, Mom and Dad realize they need to parent together and that even though they are divorced, it’s tough to handle kids on your own. Parenting today can be difficult, no matter what the living situation. It’s important to remember that even though you are no longer married, your children still need your love and guidance. Working together to raise them may not always be easy but, in the end, is totally worth it.
Remember, there is no “right way” to get divorced. Whatever works for you and your family is the way to go. At the law offices of Lyons & Associates we’re here to assist you with developing a parenting plan that’s right for your family. We place a premium on personalized service and attention for all family matters. For a private consultation with a skilled divorce lawyer in New Jersey, contact us online or call our offices at 908-575-9777.
Written By: ChrisAnn Wright, Esq.