You and your spouse have taken the decision to pursue a divorce. While you have both agreed that it is best all around, not everyone in the family feels this way. Your in-laws are disappointed, angry and looking for someone to blame.
You and your spouse have children together, so both sides of the family can’t simply go their separate ways. You’ll need to find a way to remain civil, at least for the sake of the children. Outlined below are a few tips that could help with this.
Remember, it’s natural for parents to side with their children
The divorce might be mutual, meaning nobody is to blame. Your in-laws may not see things this way though. To them, you’ve hurt their child in some way and they are going to be in their corner. When you think about it, you’d probably do the same for your children or family members, so try not to take it personally. Hopefully, over time, things will begin to settle down again.
Your children need to remain the primary focus
Along with your inlaws, you and your spouse may be fighting. This is something that really needs to be sorted out away from the children. Generally, it’s in their best interests to retain a healthy relationship with all family members, and they shouldn’t be prevented from having this. If you are unable to agree on anything else, this is one piece of common ground that everyone should be able to build from.
Your rights as a parent are most important
If possible, it’s far better for everyone to remain amicable and respectful. Obviously, this is easier said than done. One thing you need to remember is that you have rights as a parent in Hawaii. To assert these rights, it may benefit you to seek some legal guidance.