How to Explain a Divorce to Your Child

by Admin on September 15, 2023

Divorce is a challenging experience for everyone involved, but children can be particularly vulnerable to its negative effects. From behavioral issues to emotional struggles, children often find it difficult to cope when their parents are going through such a significant change. In this blog post, we’ll explore essential tips for co-parents to help their children adjust to single parenthood or shared custody after a divorce, focusing on the context of Washington State.

Understanding Child Custody in Thailand

In Thailand, family courts consider various factors when determining child custody. These include the child’s relationship with each parent, each parent’s physical and financial condition, living conditions, and any history of addiction or domestic violence. It’s important to remember that the court’s primary concern is the child’s well-being and safety.

3 Essential Tips for Co-Parents to Explain an Absent Parent

1.      Ensure the child knows it isn’t their fault: Children lack the ability to analyze situations as adults do. Co-parents must emphasize to their children that the divorce is not their fault. Kids may internalize the issue, blaming themselves for the changes they experience, such as moving schools or changing routines. Reassurance that these changes aren’t their fault is crucial.

2.      Be respectful but honest: When discussing divorce with children, it’s vital to strike a balance between honesty and age-appropriateness. While avoiding oversharing, parents should convey information honestly and respectfully, taking the child’s age into account. Validating the child’s feelings and experiences is key, even if those feelings don’t align with the parents’.

3.      Don’t let grownup issues color the conversation: Co-parents should avoid badmouthing each other to their children, especially if the child maintains a relationship with the absent parent. Prioritizing the child’s needs means keeping adult emotions and conflicts separate from their experiences. Children benefit when parents provide them with support rather than additional burdens.

In summary, explaining the absence of one parent to a child after divorce requires sensitivity and care. Co-parents must ensure the child knows they aren’t to blame, maintain honesty and respect in their conversations, and keep grownup issues from impacting the child’s emotional well-being. By following these tips, co-parents can help their children navigate the challenges of divorce and adjustment to new family dynamics.

 

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When many individuals finally obtain their coveted green card, they often breathe a sigh of relief, believing their status in the United States is now secure. However, this assumption can prove costly. Permanent residents can potentially lose their green card if certain precautions are not taken, particularly concerning extended travel outside of the country. In this article, we will delve into essential information to help you safeguard and shield your status should you need to travel abroad for an extended duration.

Maintaining Your Status as a Lawful Permanent Resident

According to US visa and immigration lawyers in Thailand, US permanent residents, or “green card holders”,  are authorized to travel in and out of the United States, provided that the time spent outside the US is not too long.  However, if your travel exceeds a certain duration, it can trigger issues related to maintaining your status. Generally, if your travel period is 180 days or less, there should be no significant issues upon seeking readmission to the United States. Nevertheless, there are exceptions and scenarios where even shorter trips can present challenges, like if you take up residence in another country. It’s important to note that as a lawful permanent resident, you must demonstrate an intent to reside in the United States. Therefore, if you spend over 180 days outside the country, Customs and Border Protection (CBP) may inquire about your efforts to maintain your status upon reentry.

Extended Travel and Green Card Validity

If you spend a year or more outside the United States without a reentry permit or beyond the validity period of a reentry permit, your green card alone is no longer sufficient to seek reentry into the country. In such cases, you would need to apply for an SB-1 Returning Resident visa. The SB-1 visa is intended for individuals who initially planned to leave the United States for a limited period but, due to circumstances beyond their control like the death or illness of a loved one or work obligations, were forced to stay abroad longer. By obtaining the SB-1 visa, these individuals can demonstrate their intention to return to the United States despite the extended absence.

The Importance of a Reentry Permit

Of course, there are times when one has a good indication that work or family responsibilities may require a prolonged period of time outside the U.S. To mitigate the risks associated with prolonged travel, green card holders who anticipate spending considerable time outside the United States should consider applying for a reentry permit prior to leaving the U.S. via Form I-131. A reentry permit is a travel document resembling a passport booklet. Its primary purpose is to protect the lawful permanent resident’s status when traveling for extended periods. The validity of a reentry permit can extend up to two years, depending on recent travel history. With a reentry permit in hand, you are legally presumed to have maintained your status as a lawful permanent resident, regardless of the duration spent outside the United States.

Reentry Permits and Protecting Your Green Card

The following examples demonstrate how a reentry permit can safeguard your status under different travel scenarios.

  • If you leave the United States for over 180 days and have a valid reentry permit, it helps establish a legal presumption that you did not intend to abandon your green card. This presumption can significantly improve your chances of reentering the United States without complications like being placed into secondary inspection.
  • Similarly, if you spend a year or more abroad but possess a valid reentry permit, you can use it in conjunction with your green card to reenter the United States, eliminating the need for an SB-1 Returning Resident visa. Although a reentry permit provides added protection, it’s important to note that it does not guarantee absolute security. The legal presumption it creates can be challenged with evidence presented by opposing parties, such as public information found on social media sites.

Conclusion

Protecting your green card and maintaining your status as a lawful permanent resident is crucial. Prolonged travel outside of the United States can pose risks, potentially leading to the unintentional abandonment of your green card.

By proactively understanding the rules and taking necessary precautions, such as applying for a reentry permit, you can enhance the security of your status. Remember, a reentry permit serves as an additional layer of protection but is not foolproof. If you found this information valuable, please share it with other green card holders who may benefit from these insights. Stay informed and empowered. Thank you for reading!

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