As a parent, you want to do what is best for your children. Throughout your life, you will no doubt make numerous sacrifices to ensure the well-being and comfort of your kids. Some people even put off divorce because they worry about the impact it could have on their children.
While it is true that divorce is disruptive to the adults and children in the family, it is possible to divorce without damaging your children. You and your spouse need to focus on what will make things easier for your children.
You should also take steps to mitigate the impact that divorce has on your kids. Focusing on the future, instead of on the issues of the past, is a good way for your family to move forward together as a unit after divorce. You need to think about where your child will be in five and 10 years from now, which may include college.
College expectations belong in your parenting plan
While the state of Colorado will not order child support to pay for college, in most cases, that doesn't mean that both parents can't contribute to a child's college education after divorce. Including an agreement on how to fund college in your parenting plan is a good decision.
Parents should focus on the needs of their children to get an education, rather than their own desire to minimize the financial impact of the divorce on their assets. You can agree to establish an educational trust for your children, which is a great way for divorced parents to both financially contribute without risking misuse of the funds.
You should also outline your academic expectations for your children in the parenting plan if you agree about reasonable expectations for grades and their capabilities.
Monitor your children for signs of disturbance after divorce
Many times, children and teenagers act out during and after a divorce. Sometimes, their behaviors can impact their hopes for college. A kid refusing to do homework in the third grade will have substantially different consequences than a junior who starts skipping class.
You and your ex should maintain vigilant watch over your children's academic and social interactions in the wake of the divorce. For at least a year, you should watch for signs that your kids could be struggling emotionally. If you need to intervene, therapy or support groups are often a better way to address a post-divorce grade slump than a tutor.
College is often necessary for those who want to make good wages in the future. You and your ex can still work together to support your children's college aspirations during and after your divorce. Your kids should always come first, no matter how difficult the divorce has been on you as a parent.