Can Collaborative Divorce Make the Transition Easier?
June 30, 2016 by West Coast ADR
Getting through a divorce with your sanity intact can be very difficult. There are many decisions to be made and the courts to deal with. All of this is on top of trying to process the emotional implications of the end of the marriage and what this means for your daily life moving forward.
It’s normal to feel overwhelmed by both your emotions and your responsibilities. If you’re used to having two incomes or a spouse to take on a share of the household responsibilities, post-divorce is a big adjustment. It’s important to check in with yourself regularly to make sure you’re getting your needs met and taking breaks to relax and take part in the activities you enjoy.
While it’s tempting to try to tackle your divorce and life afterwards as quickly and intensely as possible, this can lead to burnout and a breakdown. Make sure you’re not burying your feelings and grief over the divorce in an attempt to be “tough.” Acknowledging and dealing with these feelings is an important step in healing. However, the very best thing you can do for yourself and your children during this time is to keep things as calm as possible, and this is where a collaborative divorce can help.
By its very nature, the collaborative process takes a great deal of the conflict out of the situation and makes it easier for you to get through the divorce without more stress than absolutely necessary. Many divorcing couples — and their children — are able to benefit from a more cooperative process, and you may also end up with a quicker, less costly divorce in the end.
Source: Mindful, “Parenting Mindfully through Divorce,” Erika Prafder, accessed June 30, 2016
Getting through a divorce with your sanity intact can be very difficult. There are many decisions to be made and the courts to deal with. All of this is on top of trying to process the emotional implications of the end of the marriage and what this means for your daily life moving forward.
It’s normal to feel overwhelmed by both your emotions and your responsibilities. If you’re used to having two incomes or a spouse to take on a share of the household responsibilities, post-divorce is a big adjustment. It’s important to check in with yourself regularly to make sure you’re getting your needs met and taking breaks to relax and take part in the activities you enjoy.
While it’s tempting to try to tackle your divorce and life afterwards as quickly and intensely as possible, this can lead to burnout and a breakdown. Make sure you’re not burying your feelings and grief over the divorce in an attempt to be “tough.” Acknowledging and dealing with these feelings is an important step in healing. However, the very best thing you can do for yourself and your children during this time is to keep things as calm as possible, and this is where a collaborative divorce can help.
By its very nature, the collaborative process takes a great deal of the conflict out of the situation and makes it easier for you to get through the divorce without more stress than absolutely necessary. Many divorcing couples — and their children — are able to benefit from a more cooperative process, and you may also end up with a quicker, less costly divorce in the end.
Source: Mindful, “Parenting Mindfully through Divorce,” Erika Prafder, accessed June 30, 2016