If you are going through or have gone through a divorce with your children, you could be wondering how to make this process easier on them. It’s normal for children to feel unsettled, angry, sad or in other ways during your divorce, and they may have some trouble adapting to a major change in their environment.
Fortunately, parents can make the transition easier in a few ways. They can build a structured parenting plan and stay on the same page with rules and discipline. They can have a regular custody routine that is easily predicted and understood by the children. They can also make efforts not to involve their children in conflicts.
Helping your child through major changes after divorce
Your children may have questions and concerns from the first time they find out that you’re divorcing. As a parent, one of the best things you can do is to sit down with them and listen to what they’re asking. Have an age-appropriate conversation to go over things like where your child will live now that the family is in two homes. Be clear that the divorce was not their fault and that both you and their other parent still love them.
If you have problems with the other parent, make sure that those adult issues stay away from your children. Conflicts in front of or involving children after divorce are unnecessary and hurtful to your children. Instead, if you have a problem, wait until you can speak with your ex-spouse outside the home or away from your children.
Get your children through divorce without lasting damage
These are some ways you can help your children adapt to divorce. Build a routine, have good lines of communication and avoid conflicts when they’re present. By doing these things, your children will be better able to adjust to a new schedule and routine as well as understand why the divorce was necessary. It’s vital for your children to feel supported and loved throughout this process. If they do, then you’re on the right path to getting them through these tough changes safely.
