Going through a divorce is stressful enough; taking care of a newborn at the same time only increases the stress. Read on to know how to manage it well.
Going through a divorce is very stressful, no matter how the rest of your life is shaping up. We all want everything in our lives to turn out just perfectly, but sadly that isn’t always the case. On top of it, things can get very overwhelming if you and your spouse have decided to call it quits while you have a newborn to look after. But things can get compounded multiple times if you have a newborn to take care of. Things can get so challenging that you might feel that you are barely holding on. Read on to know our tips on how to handle a divorce when you have a newborn in the house.
1. Hire A Lawyer
It’s always better to take the services of good divorce lawyers, whether the divorce is one-sided or if you both agreed to get the divorce. Although lawyers have been portrayed negatively in shows and movies, causing them to have a bad reputation, they are beneficial during the divorce process. The best lawyers always have your best interest in mind when representing you.
When it comes to divorce with a baby, a lawyer can help formulate a plan for you and your ex about co-parenting your baby. This plan needs to include alimony, custody, child support, and many more details. A divorce lawyer will be your best bet as they have ample experience in this area.
A lawyer will ensure that you haven’t missed or forgotten any crucial point in the agreement for divorce. You might initially think that hiring a lawyer is expensive, but they will be a worthy investment for you and your baby.
2. Accept That You Might Have To Share Custody
How the child’s custody will shape up is one of the biggest worries of parents who are going to divorce. Even if the child is a newborn, there are instances where the couple has had to share custody. As it is, co-custody is known to get difficult with even teenagers, so imagine what it would be like if a newborn is involved.
You and your ex will need to ensure that you have collected everything requried to care for your baby properly. You must ensure that you have a changing pad, vibes, a crib, clothes, a car seat, and other essential items for your little one. This is crucial so that you can successfully provide a safe and caring environment for your child.
Another factor you will need to consider is having breast milk ready to go on the days your child is going to be with your ex. You have to ensure that your child is getting everything they need even if you are not around. This will require you to be pumping throughout the day so that there is sufficient supply when the time comes for your ex to take over the parenting. Throughout the co-parenting, both of you will need to be on the samepage regarding the little one’s growth and development.
3. Not Having Your Child With You Will Be Tough
If you are going through a divorce with a newborn and the court has ordered a co-custody, it will be quite tough for you to get through the first nightwithout your newborn. It will be difficult for you to be without your newborn so for the first night, you should ask a friend or family member to help you by keeping you company on that night.
You might be relieved that you will get a night of uninterrupted sleep as you don’t have to wake up in the middle of the night to nurse your baby. But sooner or later, you will realize that you are home alone. And that moment is not comforting, so be prepared for it.
If you have a friend or relative staying with you, it will make you feel less lonely on the nights your child will be away from you. That companion can listen to what you say, ultimately distracting you from your dismal situation. You can try to watch a movie, take a spa night, or just enjoy each other’s company by cooking something together. Just make sure you have someone to support you by keeping you company, so you don’t have to be alone on the nights your ex is looking after your child.
4. Make Sure You Have A Good Support System
You must have a good support system if you are going through a divorce with a newborn. This will be a particularly challenging time in your life, so it is imperative that you have people to support you through it. You need to choose the people with whom you are comfortable and those who will be there to provide emotional support to get you through this exhausting time. They can also accompany you to the meetings with the lawyers, this way they can help you by providing advice on things you may have missed.
Your support system will also help you out with your newborn. You might have questions that you need to have answered, and your support system can help you out with that. They can also look after your baby for a while if you are sometimes feeling overwhelmed. The thing is, not every friend will be good at helping out with your newborn. So you need to choose the people in your support system carefully.
Summing Up
Hopefully, our tips and information have helped you devise a plan if you are going through a divorce with a child. This will be one of the most stressful phases of your life, so be sure to be prepared for it by having a support system. Keeping your mind focused on your child and getting fairly compensated for your divorce will be a challenge, so buck up for it. Best of luck with a brighter future.
