CAREABOUTKIDS

PARENTS: Divorce issues. With more than one-half of mothers currently employed, fathers are assuming an increasingly greater share of child-care responsibilities. In some cases joint custody can result in divided loyalties and become an emotional seesaw for parents and child. When preparing children for the separation, tell them whom they will live with, where they will live, where the non-custodial parent will live, how visits have been arranged, and how often. Children need to know they will be free to love both parents, to express sadness, anger, and disappoointment but not to manipulate parents by playing one against the other. MY WORD: It is important that parents keep their emotions in control.