Divorce is a difficult adjustment for children and parents.
Everyone in the family will be dealing with a variety of emotions. Despite
their own challenges with the divorce process parents need to understand how
divorce affects their children.
What Do Children Need to
Know about Divorce?
- It's not their fault
- Their parents will love them forever
- Their parents will continue to take care of them
- Some things will change and some things will stay the same
What Do
Children Worry About?
- If they'll have to move or change school
- How family occasions and holidays will be celebrated
- The parent who is leaving
- That they'll have to choose one parent over the other
How Can
Parents Help Children During a Divorce?
- Answer their questions. Respond honestly and in an age-appropriate way
- If you don't know the answers tell them that when you find out they'll be the first to know
- Provide a consistent, predictable routine
- Don't say bad things about the other parent
- Assure your children things will work out and they won't always be sad or angry
For children there is a lot of uncertainly about what life will
look like after their parents split up. Be confident that you and your children
can navigate this transition. Reassure them and show them that they can count
on their parents to provide stability and love throughout their lives.
1 comment:
Parents who get divorced should really take time to explain everything to their kids and to make them understand that the breakup had nothing to do with them, especially that children tend to blame themselves. This post of yours is certainly very enlightening. Thank you for sharing.
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