Social media may help nurture parent-child bonds after divorce

On Behalf of | Mar 17, 2019 | divorce |

Going through a divorce can be hard for any Ohio resident. However, as a parent, you may feel even more torn about the major life changes you and your kids will experience, especially because you did not get primary custody.

Understandably, you may worry that the terms of your child custody agreement will result in the relationship with your children dwindling. Even though you have visitation rights and scheduled time to regularly spend with the kids, not being able to see them every day may weigh heavily on you. Fortunately, not being able to spend physical time with them does not necessarily mean that you cannot stay in contact.

Bright side of texting and social media

Over the years, you may have had concerns over the amount of texting and social media use in which your kids participated. After all, you may worry that they will develop unrealistic expectations or low self-esteem due to comparing themselves to other people online or limit their in-person social skills. While these concerns are valid, you may now find yourself looking at texting and social media as something different: tools that allow you to connect with your kids.

If your custody order does not forbid you from texting, calling or sending your children messages on social media, you may want to utilize these forms of communication as a way to maintain your parent-child relationships. These forms of contact can help your kids know that you are still there for them even if you cannot be around physically as much as you would like.

Studies show…

A recent study looked at the importance of frequent communication between parents and children and their post-divorce bonds. Though many people believe that the manner in which parents work together after divorce influences the healthy relationships kids can have with both parents, co-parenting styles apparently did not play as big of a role in child-parent relationships after divorce as the frequency of communication did.

If the children are old enough for cell phones or tablets and social media use, parents may find themselves better able to connect directly with their kids by utilizing these tools.

If you wonder whether such contact may go against the terms of your custody agreement or if you believe that the other parent is unjustly blocking your contact with the kids, you may want to discuss your concerns with an attorney.