When parents get divorced in Tennessee or any other state, their top priority should be raising their child to be a healthy and mature adult. However, it may be difficult to provide consistency when a child lives in two different households. Ideally, parents will be willing to compromise their own beliefs somewhat for the good of their child. Coming to an agreement as to what house rules will be enforced may be done through a face-to-face meeting.
Taking classes may show parents how failing to provide consistency may ultimately fail their children. These classes may also provide ways to help parents learn how to compromise in an effort to create it. To further help parents negotiate ground rules for their children regardless of where they are, it may be a good idea to meet with a mediator. As a general rule, this is favorable to asking a judge to make a ruling.
Parents should be aware that their children may play a role in determining what rules they are expected to follow. In some cases, they can act as a tiebreaker vote if parents are truly deadlocked. This allows children to take ownership of their lives while also giving parents a way to compromise in a manner that may be more acceptable to them.
Child custody and parenting time issues may be major points of contention when a marriage ends. Talking with an attorney may help a parent better understand his or her rights and how to preserve them. However, it may also be possible for parents themselves to come to an agreement in private. If this happens, an attorney may be able to review any agreement reached before it becomes legally binding on a parent.
