Legal custody means you can decide for your child in terms of healthcare, schooling, and religious upbringing. Most states allow parents to have joint legal custody of their children, so both parents can make decisions involving the child. The only problem with legal custody is that conflicts and misunderstandings may arise when the upbringing principles of parents clash. This is because despite all the effort they exerted just to get their own child under their care, they will end up defeated by the very decisions and choices that they have made. Although losing a child custody case is equivalent to the feeling of losing the child, this should not be the end of everything. If you are one of those who are in the process of divorce and planning to file for a child custody, then you should stop dwelling on your past and move ahead for the betterment of the people that you love the most your children. Smooth sailing child custody proceeding Parents who are into a battle for their children s custody should be ready head on to face the challenges of this unfaithful experience. The major reason why kids don t understand child custody is because adults underestimate their skills to comprehend complex family issues. If you are on an on going process of child custody or are planning to get started on it, ask your child to a serious conversation. Once a child feels that what you are about to discuss is no laughing matter, then he or she would lend a listening ear and an open heart. Essentially, the best interests of the child means that all discussions and decisions regarding the custody and visitation of a child are made with an ultimate goal: promoting and nurturing the security, physical and mental health, happiness, and emotional development of the child. Usually and ideally, it is in the best interest of the child to keep a close and healthy relationship with both parents. This can be done by trying to see the good in bad at all time or whenever possible. 3. Avoid too much thinking. If possible, stop thinking at all times over negative aspects of the child custody case. This is because thinking would only bring in a mix of emotions that could be harder to handle and manage later on.