Sometimes, the only thing a couple can agree to is that the marriage should end. Arguments and disputes are commonplace in divorce, but when children are involved, taking the high road isn’t just about helping the kids in the short-term. Cordial co-parenting relationships are important during and after the divorce too.
The common cold and parents who don’t get along
Numerous studies have shown the psychological effects of divorce-related stress and co-parent fighting. Even when it’s two adults arguing away from the kids or over the phone, tension and stress are passed to the children by proxy. It affects the present, but most children carry the scars of a rough divorce into adulthood. A new study by Carnegie Mellon University takes it a step further, finding a correlation in long-term health.
The study explored three groups of adults: those whose parents stayed together, those who were divorced but the parents remained on speaking terms, and divorced parents who did not speak to each other. After exposing participants to a common cold virus, it found that the group whose parents did not speak to each other was 3.3 times more likely to get sick. The study builds upon existing evidence that stress doesn’t just reduce health in the short-term, but that it affects vulnerability to illness later in life.
Divorce in Louisiana
Divorce is common in Louisiana. According to statistics from the Louisiana Department of Health, there were over 10,000 divorces in the state each year from 2010-2014, 2014 being the most recent year listed on their website.
Minimizing the damage
There are, of course, many reasons for divorce and each situation is unique. However, studies repeatedly show that it’s best for the children to minimize the stress that it places on children, both for their immediate transition into your new family dynamic, but also for their long-term success as they grow into adults.
Cooperation between parents is essential. Working with a skilled, caring family lawyer can help to ease the transition while addressing your personal and parental needs throughout the process. Getting a divorce is a personal decision that has consequences for everyone close to you.