Helping Your Children Survive a Divorce

 Posted on December 00,0000 in Divorce

While any divorce can be a stressful time for the adults experiencing it, adults generally possess the coping skills and access to resources that allow them to manage the anxiety that accompanies such an event. Children, however, react to the divorce of their parents in many different ways depending on age, gender, personality, and the circumstances surrounding the divorce.

A number of published studies indicate that children of divorce tend to experience physical, emotional and spiritual consequences as a result of their parent’s divorce. Typical among these are:

• Poor academic performance
• Diminished emotional well-being
• Changes in social habits and/or behavior
• Increased aggression or isolation
• Changes in appetite and physical care

In some cases, children of divorce may go through their daily routine pretending that nothing is bothering them and everything is normal. While that may seem ideal, bottling up one’s emotions about a subject as volatile as divorce can be just as harmful as drastic changes in mood or behavior.

Steps to Take that will Help Your Children During this Difficult Time

Informing your children that you and your spouse are headed for divorce can be an especially difficult task to complete. There are a number of strategies you can employ to help them better handle the whole experience.

• Before telling your children of the divorce, plan out and practice exactly what you will say and how you will say it.
• It is generally more helpful if both parents are present when the news of a divorce is first presented.
• Do everything possible to minimize any disruption to the daily lives of your children.
• Refrain from airing complaints, placing blame or expressing negativity about your spouse in the presence of your children.
• Consider counseling; not only for you but for your children as well. Sometimes a safe, neutral place is best when needing to express feelings and emotions.
• Allow both parents to remain active in the lives of the children
• Pay close attention to your children throughout the process and take special note of any changes in their appearance, habits or behavior.

Be prepared to answer some tough questions from your children, not only when they first receive the news of the divorce, but also throughout the process. As always, honesty is the best policy.

Find a Knowledgeable Divorce and Family Law Attorney in Aurora

To help aid the divorce process and assist your children during this stressful time, contact a knowledgeable and experienced Aurora divorce attorney.  The compassionate staff at The Law Offices of Matthew M. Williams, P.C. works to ensure all parties can prepare for new and brighter future.

Sources:

https://kidshealth.org/en/parents/help-child-divorce.html

https://medlineplus.gov/news/fullstory_166593.html

https://www.psychologytoday.com/family-law-attorney/age-un-innocence/201707/saving-your-children-becoming-statistic-divorce