Talking to Kids about Divorce
From Caring for Kids: Helping children cope with separation and divorce
If you are considering divorce, you are likely concerned about the effect it will have on your kids. The Canadian Paediatric Society says that when faced with divorce, your children may feel sad, confused, angry, guilty or worried about what will happen. How you handle the changes will be important for your child’s well-being.
Plan how you will tell your children about our separation
If you can, it’s best for both parents to do it together. Think about a good place and time to talk. Be honest, but also keep your children’s ages in mind when deciding how much to tell them. Younger children will need less detail. Older children might ask for more information.
Tell your kids only what they need to know
Don’t discuss adult decisions or argue in front of your children. They should not be involved in any meetings you have with a lawyer or others involved with the separation or divorce.
Young children especially will worry that they are to blame for the separation or divorce. Explain that this is an adult problem and there was nothing your children could do to prevent it. They also need to know that there is nothing they (or others) can do to change it. Help them understand that the divorce is final.
CoParenting and Children
Reassure your children that you still love them and that you will both go on caring for them. Let them know there will be many opportunities to spend time with both parents.
Be very clear that your children are not the cause of the separation.
Encourage your children to talk openly about their feelings. When they talk, listen carefully and try not to interrupt. It’s normal for children to have trouble expressing their feelings, so be patient. Though it may be hard, it’s important to let them be honest about their fears and concerns. Answer any questions as honestly as you can.
Encourage your children to talk openly about their feelings
If for whatever reason, your child feels uncomfortable talking openly with you, help her find someone she can trust such as another family member, doctor, psychologist or social worker.
When Parents are doing better, kids are doing better
One of the best reasons to keep your divorce as amicable as possible is because its good for your kids. Research has proven that when parents are emotionally fairing well, your children will respond in kind. Treat you ex bad and your kids will be feeling it. Good coparenting also means taking a measure of responsibility on how we can affect and effect the emotions of our children’s other parent. If you ever needed a reason to treat your ex-spouse better… its found in your kids.
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