Graduation Season: Are You and Your Former Spouse Ready?

College graduation season is upon us. There is less hands-on parenting with college-age children, and many have matured into young adults. Yet, regardless of a child’s maturity, it is important that parents do not neglect their responsibility to proactively ensure a special experience — one that is untarnished by awkwardness and conflict.

Despite whether a child verbalizes worry, many are anxious about having their divorced parents together at graduation — and this anxiety is burdensome. It is important that children launch themselves into the world without the added weight of being a referee for their parents on that important day.

Given that the college-age child has been his own “decision-maker” for some time, his involvement in the process is necessary. And this takes:

Advance planning;
Flexibility; and
Mindfulness.

With these priorities at the forefront, parents can ensure that the child will not have to choose anything on graduation day. This includes choosing between parents, choosing event particulars, etc. All of the details should be completed prior to graduation day so that the child can focus on enjoying the plan rather than creating one.

Start your planning now and you and your former spouse will ensure that the goal of creating good memories for your child is achieved.

My Divorce Recovery

Lauren Behrman, Ph.D.
LaurenBehrmanPhD@MyDivorceRecovery.com
212-799-7921

Jeffrey Zimmerman, Ph.D., ABPP
JeffZimmermanPhD@MyDivorceRecovery.com
212-485-0033