Parents often think they know what’s best for their children, even if they have gone through a divorce. However, as children get older, they may want a say in the child custody arrangements, particularly when it comes to where they live, as these decisions can greatly affect their schooling and social lives.

Huffington Post contributor Diana Carbajal Mejia has experienced this first hand when her teenage step-daughter asked to live with her and the teen’s father full-time after sharing custody half-and-half with the child’s mother for eight years.

The teenager proposed the arrangement because the split time at two homes was making it difficult to keep track of her studies. She also had to constantly lug her heavy school books from one house to the other, and had to have two sets of school uniforms for each house.

After hearing this request, Mejia said she spoke with her husband about the situation. Next, it was important for the couple to discuss the daughter’s wish with her mother. All adults involved discussed what would be best for the teen and agreed that they could not refuse her request.

According to the Post Gazette, it is important that parents listen to these requests but avoid getting bullied into the decision. The reasons for living arrangement changes should be in line with the co-parenting plan.

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