When parents in Virginia decide to part ways, child custody issues may arise. Joint custody, where both parents share responsibilities for raising their children, is one option that prioritizes a child’s emotional and developmental needs.
Joint custody may not be appropriate in all situations. However, many families who adopt this type of time-sharing arrangement find that it offers the following benefits.
Emotional stability
Joint custody allows children to maintain strong bonds with both parents. Regular interactions with both mother and father help children feel secure, loved and valued. These interactions also help minimize feelings of abandonment or rejection.
Balanced routine
Spending time with both parents helps create a consistent schedule that injects stability and routine into a child’s life. The predictability that comes with a joint custody arrangement can help children adapt better to changing circumstances. It may also help reduce the stress associated with frequently shifting between two homes.
Enhanced self-esteem
When both parents are active in a child’s life, it sends a clear message that both value and cherish the child. This affirmation can significantly boost a child’s self-esteem and self-worth.
Academic success
Studies suggest that children in joint custody arrangements perform better academically than their peers who live exclusively with one parent. Youths whose parents share custody have grade point averages that are between 0.2 and 0.4 points higher than their peers who live with a single parent. The consistent involvement of both parents in an educational journey provides children with valuable academic support, encouragement and motivation.
By prioritizing a child’s well-being above the needs of his or her parents, joint custody arrangements provide a solid foundation for children to grow, thrive and develop into resilient, well-rounded adults.
