055: ACEs in the Family Law System - Protecting Children Through Advocacy and Awareness - Part 4 of a 4-Part Series

In this final episode of the four-part ACEs series on Children First Family Law, Krista dives into practical strategies for parents and professionals to support children through adverse experiences and the complex realities of family law. Building on earlier discussions about parental addiction, attachment, and trauma, Krista outlines ways parents can actively foster resilience and emotional security for their children, even when co-parenting challenges arise.

Krista emphasizes the importance of separating a child’s perception of a parent from the parent’s struggles. She shares creative approaches, such as building a library of videos of a parent reading or engaging with the child during periods of instability. By doing this, parents can validate their child’s connection with both caregivers, avoid reinforcing negative feelings, and promote stability and trust, even in difficult circumstances. Small rituals, predictable routines, affirming therapy, and engagement with activities like art or nature help children feel secure and supported, and demonstrate the power of consistent presence over conflict.

The episode also expands the focus to professionals in the family law system, including judges, attorneys, child advocates, and therapists. Krista outlines how the adversarial structure of courts can unintentionally exacerbate trauma for both children and parents, and how trauma-informed approaches grounded in safety, trust, choice, collaboration, and empowerment can mitigate harm. She highlights the need for trauma-informed language, empathy, and curiosity, both in interactions with families and in self-care for professionals navigating high-conflict cases.

Closing the series, Krista paints a vision for a family law system that prioritizes children’s safety, emotional security, and long-term resilience. By combining research on ACES, practical parenting strategies, and professional responsibility, she challenges parents and practitioners to reframe conflict as an opportunity to foster connection and healing. The episode reinforces that trauma-informed advocacy is not only possible. It is essential to shape outcomes that truly serve families and communities.

In this episode, you will hear:

• How to foster attachment and resilience in children when one parent struggles with addiction
• Practical strategies to maintain children’s connection to both parents through creative tools and predictable routines
• The importance of trauma-informed approaches in the family law system
• How small actions by parents and professionals can prevent new adverse childhood experiences
• Ways professionals can shift from judgment to empathy, curiosity, and healing-centered advocacy

Resources from this Episode

www.childrenfirstfamilylaw.com

All states have different laws; be sure you are checking out your state laws specifically surrounding divorce. Krista is a licensed attorney in Colorado and Wyoming but is not providing through this podcast legal advice. Please be sure to seek independent legal counsel in your area for your specific situation. 

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Episode Credits

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