Often, some positives can come out of difficult situations. Illinois fathers who face divorce should know that recent scientific data shows men tend to become better caregivers to their children after the ends of their marriages if they share joint custody with their former spouses. With marital conflict out of the way, research shows most fathers step up to the plate and become stellar co-parents. In fact, studies show both parents tend to become more focused on their children after divorce.

As with anything else, positive parenting skills come with time and effort. It’s a learn-as-one-goes experience. When men find they have to do things on their own for their children, they become more emotionally involved with them. Professionals say that doesn’t mean men weren’t great dads before their divorces, but they tend to take on basic things with their children as divorced fathers — such things as comforting children at night, singing lullabies and soothing scrapes.

In essence, men grow as fathers after going through a divorce. Research shows men become more self-confident in their parenting roles as divorced fathers. Most men actually enjoy making decisions regarding their children without the input of their former spouses.

Some experts say divorce is a symptom of marital discord, but it is also a solution. If children of divorce have loving relationships with their fathers as well as with their mothers, they are more likely to thrive well in all areas of their lives. Fathers in Illinois going through divorces are just as capable of nurturing their children as their mothers are.