It is inevitable that at some point divorce will happen in a household that involves children. However, both parents need to remember that they are still the parent and should stay just as involved in their child’s life as they did when they were a couple.

Many parents choose to put their personal or legal differences aside to attend activities that their child is involved in, while others use the excuse of not wanting to see the ex. In many cases a step-parent will come in to the child’s life which can cause stress for the child, and a child should never be forced to call a step-parent mom or dad unless they make the choice.

When a person gets involved with someone who has a child they should accept the child with the same devotion as they accept their spouse.

In an ideal world, divorced parents and step-parents would all communicate for the sake of the child but we all know this is not always the case. It is important, for the grown and development of your child, for BOTH parents to show support. Any parent, who chooses not to attend activities, should be ashamed of themselves. Any step parent, who encourages the parent to avoid activities for any reason, should be ashamed of themselves. Maybe every parent and step parent should step back and take a look at the involvement they have in the child’s life and ask themselves if they are truly being a parent. With the drug and teen pregnancy epidemic, you should be proud and supportive of your child’s additional interest.

If you have to blame someone else for your actions of not being involved in all aspects of your child’s life, remember that actions do speak louder than words.

Jennifer Karas

Cambridge