Custody battles can be a tough and emotional process for all parents. While both mothers and fathers theoretically have an equal chance of gaining custody of their child after a separation, fathers tend to feel more frequently that the system is working against them. They may struggle to prove that they have a strong bond with their child, particularly if they have not lived with their child for a significant part of their life. Additionally, there is usually an extremely strong bond between a very young child and their mother due to giving birth and nursing.
If you are a father going through a child custody battle, you may feel unsure of what stance to take. You may fear that if you are extremely motivated and persistent, you will be accused of taking an overly aggressive stance. Conversely, if you try to take a step back in the process and take a more relaxed approach, you may fear that you will be accused of not caring about the outcome or your child. The following are some strategies that you can take as a father when going through a child custody battle.
Don’t put pressure on your child
Depending on your child’s age, it is likely that they are already aware of some aspects of the child custody battle. While it is important to explain to your child what they need to know, you should not put pressure on them or include them in issues that should be kept between yourself and your ex.
Stay civil
While it may not be possible for you to be best friends with your ex, it can be possible to stay civil if both of you are willing to put in some effort. All issues should be discussed calmly and logically without an argument escalating. If you are struggling to do this, you may want to gain guidance from a mediator. Creating arguments and engaging in toxic or aggressive behavior will only hurt your child custody battle in the long run.
If you are feeling frustrated by a child custody battle that is taking place, try to focus on understanding what factors child custody courts take into account when making their decision.
