Parents who are going through a divorce may be dealing with significant negative feelings between them. Those feelings can fester and become a challenging point in the child custody situation, but it’s critical that both parents don’t allow those feelings to interfere with the custody.
One thing that you should always avoid is speaking ill of your ex. It may feel as though negative comments are justified in the heat of the moment, but these can be incredibly damaging, even if they’re true.
Effects of parental badmouthing on the children
If your children hear one parent badmouthing the other, they may start to internalize what they hear. This may lead to them feeling as though they have to choose sides between their parents, which is something no children should ever have to experience.
Speaking ill to others can also be damaging
There may be times when you feel like you need to vent, but you must be careful with how you do this. If there’s anyone who may repeat the comments to your children or around your children, you shouldn’t speak negatively about your ex to them. It may be better to have these discussions with a therapist or a confidante who you know won’t repeat what you say to anyone else.
In some cases, the badmouthing may stem from stressful situations between you and your ex. It may be possible to avoid those situations by having a comprehensive parenting plan. Working with someone who can assist with getting this plan together is often beneficial so you can ensure you have everything covered.
