Parenting: How to Be a Successful Father After an Illinois Divorce

 Posted on December 00,0000 in Divorce

Divorce is difficult for everyone in the family, but it can be especially difficult for fathers who are going through a divorce. Even though it is 2019 and most people agree with the fact that a child does his or her best when both parents are involved in their life, fathers are often given the short end of the stick when it comes to divorce. Mothers are still seen as the primary caregiver and are often still given preference when making determinations about parenting time and decision-making rights. Though it may seem that there are numerous societal and cultural factors that are working against fathers, having help from a divorce lawyer who focuses on father’s rights can be beneficial. Here are four things you can do to be a good dad after your divorce:

Fight for Your Right to Parenting Time

Unfortunately, the court systems tend to favor the mothers over the fathers when it comes to parenting time. This can spell difficulty for fathers who want to play an active part in their child’s life, so it is important that you are tenacious about fighting for parenting time. When you attend parenting time hearings, make sure you are attentive, you listen to the judge and you show the judge that you care about your children.

Be Consistent with Your Children

When couples separate, it is very common for the children to live with their mother a majority of the time, especially before the divorce and the parenting plan are finalized. Though you may not like the fact that you are visiting your children rather than parenting them, you should aim to be the best father you can be during this time. Show up for your children when you tell them you will show up.

Work to Co-Parent with Your Spouse

For some couples, co-parenting after a divorce is easy. For other couples, co-parenting after a divorce is troublesome. Either way, successful co-parenting after a divorce takes a lot of time and effort from both spouses. Though you are not married anymore, getting along with your spouse and co-parenting peacefully benefits your children.

Hire a Skilled Aurora, IL Father’s Rights Lawyer

Even though it is not fair, fathers who are going through a divorce have several issues that they must deal with that mothers do not have to worry about. If you are a father going through a divorce, it is in your best interest to hire a DuPage County divorce attorney who has experience dealing with father’s rights during a divorce. At the Law Office of Matthew M. Williams, P.C., we can help you get a fair divorce settlement, including a fair parenting plan with equal parenting time. Call our office today at 630-409-8184 to schedule a consultation.

Sources:

http://fathers.com/s5-your-situation/c18-divorced-dad/just-maintain-a-strong-connection-just-be-dad/

https://www.huffpost.com/entry/the-hardest-part-of-being-a-divorced-dad_n_8172826