While divorce is difficult for parents, it is even more devastating for children. Parents wish to protect their children from the negative effect of divorce and child custody proceedings. What many divorcing parents fail to realize is that kids can be experts at hiding the pain they feel.

For example, some children try to internalize their suffering so as not to make it any harder on their parents. However, they are typically ill-equipped to hide their pain altogether. As family law attorneys serving Saint Louis County residents, we want to help. Below, we have listed several of the most common signs that your child is struggling with divorce and bitter child custody battles.

• Displaying irrational or unusual fears
• Experiencing problems at school
• Displaying sudden behavioral changes
• Exhibiting unusual mood swings
• Showing little or no interest in communicating
• Spending less time with their friends
• Showing a decrease in their self-esteem
• Being less cooperative with their parents

Another way we want to help is by explaining how allowing your co-parent to draw you into a child custody battle harms your kids and may also harm your case. It is always a better idea to trust in your attorney’s judgment. Allow your lawyer to speak on your behalf and present your side of child custody arguments to the court.

We know how difficult this can be because we are parents, too. However, striving to project only your best courtroom behavior can go a long way in convincing a judge that you only have your child’s best interests at heart. Please, continue reviewing our divorce and child custody web pages if you need additional information.