November 25, 2020 - Raising World Children

Positive Co-Parenting, Even After a Divorce

Getting a divorce is rarely easy. If you have children, the divorce can be further complicated. If you find yourself in this situation, you’ll want to keep the following information in mind so that you can provide a healthy upbringing for your child.

Keep the Focus on Your Child

The best way for positive co-parenting after a divorce is to remember that you’re both parenting the same child. While the end of the relationship may have caused you a great deal of pain, your child is going through their own issues at the moment. By putting the focus on your child, both you and your ex can allow the focus of your decisions to remain on a party about whom you both care.

Keep the Lines of Communication Open

Communication is key. While you don’t have to be friendly with your ex, you should make sure that there is a line of communication open so that you can discuss the important aspects of your child’s life. If your relationship is fraught, keep the communication focused on your child’s needs. Don’t use this channel to argue, but rather share important information for the good of your child.

Be Flexible When You Can

It’s always a good idea to be willing to be flexible when it will benefit your child. There’s a reasonable tendency for many to not want to be the parent who ‘gives in’ to the other, but it’s wise to act in good faith whenever possible. This will allow you to build a better rapport with your ex and encourage the other party to be just as flexible when something on your end needs to be changed.

Know Your Rights Under Child Custody Law

Child custody law can be tricky to untangle. It’s wise to create a custody agreement when you divorce, but your state may also have very specific rights and responsibilities for each parent. These could greatly impact your relationship and the choices the two of you make for your children. Before you make a major decision, make sure that the decision that you want to make is one that would be supported by the law. Consulting with a child custody lawyer, like those at the Law Office of Faye Riva Cohen, P.C., can help you better understand what your rights are.

Positive co-parenting after a divorce isn’t always easy but it is something that has successfully been accomplished by many parents in situations just like your own. Keep the lines of communication open, focus on your child, and know when to be flexible and when to bring the law into the process. If you can set up a plan that focuses on your child, your child can keep both of their parents involved in their life.

Help Your Child Get Ahead in Their Education

Ensuring that your child has the tools that they need to get ahead in their education is one of your most important roles as a parent. There is nothing that can replace a solid education, making it important that you put a top emphasis on this aspect of your child’s development. Here are five proven ways by which you can help your child get ahead in their education.

Make it Personal

Any educator will tell you that learning is a personalized experience. Teaching is not a one-size-fits-all approach that will work for every student. If you want your student to live up to their true potential, it is important that you understand how your child learns so that you can best support it.

One of the best ways to do this is to create a personalized learning strategy for your child’s specific needs and strengths. An individualized education plan will ensure that your child is being reached on their level and continually challenged. This will encourage them to reach their highest potential.

Teach Them Basic Organizational and Study Skills

You are never too young to learn basic organizational and study skills. While many parents focus on specific academic areas, it is the organizational and study skills that form the cornerstone of good learning habits. There are a number of age-appropriate ways that you can support the cultivation of these habits.

For younger children, start with teaching them to make and stick with a basic to-do schedule. Once they get older, you can begin to teach them how to use a desk planner to keep track of all of their responsibilities and deadlines. Not only will these skills help them to excel in school, but it will also provide them with invaluable life skills.

Stay Involved

A significant predictor of a child’s success in school is parental involvement. You can do this in various ways, depending on your own personal schedule. Start by making it a point to attend every back-to-school night. This will help you to establish a connection with the teachers so that you feel comfortable going to them with concerns.

If your schedule allows, it is a good idea to try to volunteer in the classroom as needed. This will give you an insight into the classroom dynamic, the way your child interacts with the teacher and classmates, and much more. It will also be easier to talk with your child about their day if you are more familiar with the routine.

Ensure Your Child is Ready to Learn

You cannot expect your child to be ready to learn each day if they are not feeling their best. Be sure that your child is getting adequate sleep each night so that they begin the day in the best position to absorb new information.

You can also support quality learning by making sure that they eat a healthy breakfast each morning. A nutritious breakfast will provide the energy that they need to power their brain and body. If mornings are difficult for you, make it easier by preparing healthy grab and go items for your child to nosh on during the commute to school.

Create a Work Space at Home

Your child will learn best if they have a positive place to work on their studies at home. Start this space with a comfortable chair and desk. There also needs to be sufficient lighting in place. Most importantly, the area needs to be free of distractions so your child can concentrate.

It is also important that you equip this space with the proper tools and supplies. You do not want your child to have to hunt down what they need to be successful in school. As your child gets older, you will want to make sure that they have the appropriate technological equipment to stay on top of their work and continue to push themselves to excel.

As a parent, it is your job to take your child’s education into your own hands so that they make the most out of all of these opportunities. These five tips provide a great starting point as you support your student’s educational endeavors.

Tips for Helping Children Traumatized by Dog Bites]

Tips for Helping Children Overcome the Trauma of Dog Bites

Dogs may make faithful companions and playful pets, but it is important to remember that they are also animals with instincts. It is easy to forget this fact and leave your children alone with a dog, especially in a park or public area where you assume the animals are friendly. The reality is that 4.5 million children get bit by dogs every year. Protecting your child and helping them recover from the trauma of dog bites is an essential part of their healing.

Getting Medical Attention

Minor bites can often be cared for at home with basic first aid after your child is bitten by a dog. If the dog is unfamiliar, the bite is deep, the wound won’t stop bleeding, or if there are any signs of infection, go to the doctor or hospital immediately. Dogs can carry bacteria in their mouths that can harm children, and medical attention may be necessary. Serious bites need to be seen immediately by a medical professional.

Understanding How the Child Feels

Caring for your child physically after a dog bite is only one part of helping him or her heal. Many children experience post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) after being bitten by a dog. This can be difficult for an adult to comprehend. Experts tell parents to imagine that they were attacked by an angry, open-mouthed bear that stands as tall as they are. This is the equivalent of a full-sized dog attacking your child. You can imagine the trauma you might feel after going back into the forest after a bear attack; the same is true for your child who must return to their own home or neighborhood after being bit by a dog.

Tips for Helping Children Overcome the Trauma of Dog Bites

Studies show that a high number of children experience PTSD after a dog bite. Look for and recognize these symptoms: excessive anxietyanxiety, poor sleep, decreased performance in school, irritability, withdrawal, altered appetite, reduced creativity and/or behavior problems. These symptoms may be present all of the time but may become more pronounced when a child is around a dog.

If your child was bitten by a dog, they must see a therapist as soon as possible. Studies show that the sooner a child sees a therapist after a bite, the better they will heal. The therapist will be able to assess your child and offer treatment options. Listening to your child, reassuring them that this was not their fault and encouraging education can also help them recover from the trauma.

After a dog bite, your child will need help in recovering from the trauma physically, mentally, and emotionally. As a parent, it’s your responsibility to guide them in this healing by getting them the medical assistance they need and listening to their fears and concerns. The proper care and treatment may be expensive, so talk to a personal injury lawyer to get compensation to care for your child.