Parents can be made aware of how important it is to reassure a child that both parents love him or her, that he or she is not expected to take sides, that he or she is not the cause of the divorce, and that he or she will visit with the noncustodial parent, or if this is not possible, with a substitute supportive adult. Parents can be given strategies to help children express their feelings and to maintain normal discipline at both households. Physicians should also advise parents against demeaning or arguing with an ex-spouse in front of a child. Appropriate anger management by parents who are separating is a crucial skill for effective coparenting. Parents can be encouraged to share angry feelings with another supportive adult rather than a child.
Physicians can help noncustodial fathers parent more effectively after a separation.
Current research suggests that when a mother is the custodial parent after a separation, a close relationship to the father is strongly associated with the improved well-being of a child. Noncustodial fathers can best assist their children by continuing with parenting tasks, such as homework and behavioural guidance, rather than involving themselves in recreational activities only. In situations where there are allegations of child abuse by either parent, the physician should gather historical information carefully and, if there are grounds to suspect abuse, report it to the appropriate child protection agency. Physicians should be prepared to document a child's injuries, and report any findings to child protection authorities. In the case of alleged sexual abuse in a prepubertal child, if the responding physician is inexperienced, it is helpful to consult with a physician who is an expert in child abuse about the timing and nature of an examination.