There are many difficult aspects of going through a divorce. Even if for the best, a separation marks a significant change in not only your life, but the lives of your family members.
Naturally, one of the biggest worries is the children. Amid the conversations about custody agreements, visitation arrangements and child support, you might feel a nagging concern. Will you get to spend as much time with your kids as you’d like?
You’re not alone.
Most dads think they spend too little time with the kids
Most dads, it turns out, are dealing with this same worry. A Pew Research survey released in 2018 found 63% of fathers said they spent “too little” time with their kids. Respondents most often cited work as the reason.
And this holds true for all dads.
Pew found that, of those dads who felt they weren’t spending enough time with their kids, 20% said it was because the children lived in a different home.
Another survey cited by Pew found nearly one in four fathers of children under the age of 18 were living apart from at least one kid, while 17% lived separately from all their children.
Making the most of your time with the kids
While not always easy, it is possible to change how you spend your time when around your kids. Things like turning off your phone, planning activities and reassessing your work time can enrich the hours you do get with the children.
You can also consider trying to modify the parenting time agreement with the help of an attorney. They can help you better understand what options are available to protect your relationship with your kids. It generally requires a change in circumstances since the order was first filed, and can go much more smoothly if both parents agree to the modification.
Keep in mind, though, that any agreement needs to put the best interests of the child (or children) first.
