When going through a divorce that involves children, you will have to create a parenting plan with your spouse that outlines important details of child custody arrangements. Parenting plans are legally binding and each parent must abide by the terms outlined within them. However, it is well understood that the only constant in life is change and changes in your life circumstances can affect your parenting plan. Below are five common situations that could result in changes to your plan.

Changes in Employment

When you first create your parenting plan, you will likely customize it to work around you and your work schedule. If you change jobs or get promoted and it changes the hours you spend at work, it will likely impact your parenting plan and you may need to make adjustments to it.

Changes in Personal Relationships

After a divorce, you are still entitled to a social life, even when you are a parent at the same time. You have a right to go out with your friends, and the right to enter into a new relationship. While these are exciting things, they may also impact your parenting plan. This is particularly true when you begin a new romantic relationship, as your former spouse may argue that they do not want your children to spend time with your new partner. There may be no basis for this and you can fight those arguments as well, but a new relationship may impact your parenting plan.

Children whose parents are divorcing can have varied reactions to the news of the divorce. Depending on their age and maturity level, they may not understand what a divorce is let alone what it means. Some children react with feelings of guilt, thinking they are the cause of the divorce. Other children may fear that they will lose one or both parents because of the change. As the parent, it is your job to make sure that your child understands the situation so that they can have healthy reactions. Here are three tips you can use to help you tell your children about your divorce:

1. Tailor the Conversation to Your Child’s Level of Understanding

Younger children often do not understand the entire aspect of divorce. Most of the time, all they know is that mommy and daddy are no longer living together. When talking to younger children about your divorce, make sure you use words and concepts that they understand. Your conversation does not have to go into great detail, but it is important that you tell the truth. Older children will probably need a bit more explanation, however, you should avoid disclosing too much information so as to paint the other parent in a bad light.

2. Make Sure It Is the Right Time

It is usually recommended that all children be present when you decide to break the news -- the last thing you would want is for one child to hear the news from another. Also, do not tell your children too early that you are getting a divorce -- if divorce is not certain between you and your spouse, you should not alert your children about the issues.

Though every divorce is different, and there is no one set way that can be used in all divorces, there are some general guidelines that can help make your divorce easier on you. The nature of divorce makes this period of time in your life difficult already, so figuring out ways that you can make it easier on everyone involved is a good idea. You may not even be aware that you are making these mistakes, but they can hinder the divorce and separation process. Here are five mistakes that you should try your best to avoid making:

1. Being Uninformed or Unprepared

If you are unaware of your financial situation, you are setting yourself up for failure. Before you begin the divorce process, you should make sure that you have access to all bank accounts and credit card accounts, as well as tax return information and investment accounts. You will want to make copies of all available financial records, such as tax returns, bank and credit card statements, loan documents, insurance policies, and deeds to real estate or vehicles.

2. Letting Your Emotions Guide You

Divorce dredges up many thoughts and feelings, so it can be difficult to take your emotions out of the process. It is completely normal to feel everything from grief to anger to resentment, but it is important that you do not let these emotions control your decisions. Seeing a counselor or therapist who specializes in divorce or family issues can help you work through those emotions in a healthy way.

Divorce can be difficult for children. Living in two households, watching parents date and remarry, and getting introduced to step-siblings and half-siblings are several of the many changes divorce can bring to your children’s lives.

Fortunately, there are ways you can help your children live a high quality of life despite any changes your divorce may bring. You can start by making an effort to avoid the following 4 common parenting mistakes during divorce:

1. Forcing Your Children to Be Messengers

Divorce can become very difficult when you have to co-parent with your ex who you do not get along with. Fortunately, there are ways that you can make co-parenting easier and become a great role model to your children. Here are five co-parenting tips you should keep in mind to make parenting a pleasant rather than daunting experience:

1. Lower Your Expectations

You cannot expect your ex to be the kind of parent you would like them to be. Doing so will only leave you disappointed and frustrated. Keep in mind that even if you believe they should be a better parent, you cannot control their parenting style and/or change their priorities.