Graduation is an important time in your child’s life. It is also a time of many school events and many family get togethers. This can add stress to a family that is going through a divorce or separation, particularly if the child that is grduating is the first to reach this milestone in the family. It is the unknown. And how you as parents handle it, will affect the child and his or her feelings of stability.
It is important to understand that this is a time when conflicts may arise, as you and the other parent both want to “be there” for your child and enjoy this accomplishment that each member of the family has played a role in reaching. Knowing that there may be conclict, particularly if you are going through a high conflict divorce can help you plan for minimizing it. Plan graduation parties ahead of time, and inform the other parent as soon as possible so that they can plan their celebrations as well. Cooperate on dates and times: both of you cannot have the time right after the graduation ceremony, so determine who will have the child on the graduation day and who can celebrate with the child in the days that follow. If at all possible, plan whether or not you will be sitting together at the ceremony. Being able to cheer for your child from a united area in the audience may help your child when looking out for you from the stage. Remember that both parents have a right to see their child graduate- now is not the time to pontificate about who spent the most time studying with your child, who paid the tuition, or who drove them to school each day. Release your own feelings in an appropriate setting away from your child so that your child does not need to feel obligated to take sides when in your presence.
In the article, How to keep Divorce from Affecting Your teens Graduation, the Wevorce team offers great tips on keeping graduation civil and minimze conflict. To access the article, please click on the link below: https://www.wevorce.com/blog/keep-divorce-from-affecting-teens-graduation/
