Family law: Shared parenting benefits in Maryland after divorce

Divorce can be particularly rough on kids who have been used to being parented by two individuals. Family law rules in Maryland, however, provide for the continuation of that parenting style with shared parenting situations. Studies show that kids who are co-parented have better overall emotional health, do better in school, have a healthier self-esteem and fewer behavioral problems like acting out, bullying or delinquency.

In fact, even when their parents have a lot of conflict between them, research shows that kids who spend time with both parents on an even keel accept their parents’ divorce more readily and with less stress. A professor of Adolescent and Educational Psychology reviewed 54 case studies of children in various custody situations. She found that there was no difference in outcomes between kids whose parents were in custody battles and those who weren’t as long as they continued to co-parent.

Maintaining strong relationships with both parents — even those embroiled in conflict — offsets any negative outcomes that conflict may create in children’s lives, according to the doctor’s study. Even when one parent wasn’t on board with co-parenting at the start and had to do so because of mediation or a court order — children did better in the long run. A significant fact the doctor’s research refuted is that when one parent has the kids  overnight, it does not weaken the bond with the other parent.

Family law in Maryland is brimming with rules. guidelines and court procedures. These can be confusing and confounding. Issues like shared parenting might be better understood when clarified by a family lawyer Frederick, MD trusts.

Source: ifstudies.org, “10 Surprising Findings on Shared Parenting After Divorce or Separation“, Linda Nielsen, Accessed on May 25, 2018