Life is often not smooth sailing, and you will likely come across significant life problems and changes throughout your lifetime. It will be challenging to navigate your emotions, health, and overall well-being during these changes. It is even more complicated when you include children into the equation.
How to Deal With Major Life Changes as a Parent
As a parent, you want to prioritize your well-being and encourage mental and physical health for your child. Life changes will constantly challenge these priorities, and while parents cannot plan for everything, there are great tips on navigating significant life changes best. Being semi-prepared for these changes can significantly impact the effects of the change.
Moving
It is hard to uproot your child significantly if they primarily grew up in one location. Moving is never easy, but many parents will move for better opportunities due to economic difficulties. Regardless of why you are moving, be prepared for its effects on your child.
You want to foster open communication between you and your child, so be sure to inform them of the move as early as possible. Periodically, remind them and give them more information about the new city they will live in. The more information you can provide, the less scary the move can be.
If possible, have a family trip to the new place. It can help create good memories for them to associate with the city. Support and guidance throughout the whole process should be prevalent. Children under five tend to handle moving much easier than older children who have developed roots and friendships in your current city.
Experiencing an Auto Accident
Accidents can be highly traumatic for children. Your priority should be to ensure that you and your child are not harmed by accident. Proceed with all standard protocols for accidents, including contacting the police, gathering information from those involved, and getting an injury lawyer (if needed).
You will want to monitor your child for any physical and mental changes. Contacting a health professional could be beneficial if you want to be proactive if your child is experiencing trauma from the accident. You will also likely be experiencing feelings of distraught and anxiety. Be sure to take care of yourself and take care of your child.
Divorce
One of the most complex decisions a parent can make is getting a divorce. Marriages and nuclear homes are often glorified as the perfect environment for a child, but this is not true. Children are very intuitive and can often pick up on a broken marriage’s sadness, anger, and resentment. After you have decided to get a divorce, be sure to iron out the details with your significant other. There will be an adjustment period for your child, which will likely be difficult. Both parents and children can experience intense emotions while going through a divorce, but you need to prioritize your happiness and well-being. Staying for the kids can often fill them with more loss and trauma than an amicable divorce.
Remember to not forget about taking care of yourself. You are now an independent support system, so while you should be considerate of your child, remember to care for yourself. It is normal to grieve and be depressed. Just ensure that you are getting better and certain parental responsibilities are not neglected. Do not allow your child to experience arguments and fights between you and your significant other. This will be harmful to their development and their feelings surrounding the divorce. Instead, use your time together wisely. Try new things with your child and create new memories. Eventually, your life will resume as it once was.
Your Death
Most parents will pass before their child. It is unlikely that your child will come to terms with this scenario until they are much older, but it is almost a guarantee. If you are approaching death either through old age or disease, you may want to get your affairs in order. You can also preemptively arrange things on the off chance you pass away unexpectedly. Many parents have plans in place because they want their children to be well cared for.
Many parents will create a will to ensure their children’s lives are much easier following their passing. A will allows parents to designate their child’s legal guardian (if the child is underaged). Estate, life insurance, and other assets can be carefully allotted to children, either at adulthood or in increments during adulthood. Florida Probate, a firm of probate litigation attorneys in Boca Raton, recommends reaching out to a probate law firm that will help you with estate planning and asset protection when you create your will.
