Divorce is never part of a couple’s original plan when they tie the knot, especially when children are involved. The emotional weight of separating can be overwhelming, but for Clara and Mark, navigating this challenging path meant upholding a family tradition that would reassure their son, Jake, that their love for him remains unchanged.
Clara shared her family photos with a community of parents, explaining, “The top two images were taken while Mark and I were still married. The bottom two were captured nearly a year and over two years after our divorce was finalized.” By continuing to take these family portraits, Clara and Mark demonstrate to Jake that, despite their changed relationship, they are still family—just in a different form.
Clara remarked, “We might not be in love anymore, we don’t always see eye to eye, and we’re not best friends. Sometimes, we might not even like each other. But what we are is forever connected by our wonderful, intelligent, and caring son. We have mutual respect. We understand that neither of our roles as parents is more important than the other.”
Now living in separate states, Clara noted that these photographs symbolize the collaboration inherent in successful co-parenting. “It takes a lot of effort to maintain a peaceful co-parenting relationship,” she shared. “I often hear others say, ‘You’re so lucky to have such a good relationship with your ex.’ Luck has nothing to do with it; it’s all about hard work. Regardless of what happens in our marriage, we are parents first.”
Clara added, “We both need to be present, and we both deserve to create lasting memories with Jake. We don’t blame each other for how our relationship unfolded, and we certainly don’t express any blame in front of our son.”
For Clara, each family portrait represents the dedication required to foster a healthy co-parenting dynamic. “We still take family portraits, and I invest in having them printed and framed for Jake’s room. He may not grow up with parents under the same roof, but he will see values like respect, kindness, empathy, and teamwork modeled by both of us. He’ll learn that while love can fade, family can remain intact.”
Divorce is a unique journey for every couple, with various reasons and responses that shape the experience. However, when children are involved, prioritizing their well-being is essential. Clara wisely stated, “Kids may not always heed your words, but they will keenly observe your actions, and that can make all the difference.”
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In summary, this divorced couple exemplifies how to model respect and cooperation for their child through family traditions like annual portraits. Their commitment to showing their son that family bonds can persist despite changes lays a strong foundation for his future relationships.