How Do I Help My Kids Cope with My Divorce?
Posted on Apr 20, 2023 2:04pm PDT
Going through a
divorce is never easy, and it can be difficult to guide your children through
such a challenge. As parents, we want to provide our kids with the support
they need during life-changing events. However, it's often hard to
know where to even begin. In this blog post, we'll be discussing steps
you can take to help your children cope with the aftermath of divorce.
Tips for Helping Kids Cope with Divorce
There’s no universal best way to handle a divorce. Individuals and
families must do what works best for them. Still, for divorcing parents
and their children, there are recommended ways to deal with divorce. These
are generally methods that have worked well for others and give parents
the best shot to help their kids cope with divorce in the healthiest way
possible.
The following are a few tips that can enable parents to help their children
deal with their divorce:
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Acknowledge the pain of divorce. Make sure your children know that divorce is hard, and that it's okay
to feel sad or angry about it. Divorce can cause a lot of emotional turmoil
for children-- the sense of loss, the feeling that something has been
taken away from them. Even though parents may be happy with the changes
that come with divorce, it is essential to acknowledge how hard it can
be on their children. It is important to create a safe space for your
kids where they know it is okay to express any hurt or anger they may
be experiencing. Talking about how hard divorce can be can help diffuse
some of the emotion and encourage healing and closure.
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Be available for questions. Let your kids know you're there to answer any questions or concerns
they have. Divorce is an emotionally stressful experience for children,
and it can be difficult for them to express their feelings and ask questions.
As a parent, it is important to create a safe and calm environment where
your children feel comfortable asking questions about their divorce. Let
them know that you are ready and willing to answer any questions they
have. Being available to answer your children's questions can help
promote healthy communication as they come to terms with the aftermath
of the divorce.
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Provide emotional support. Listen to your children's feelings and be understanding. Divorce can
be difficult and oftentimes overwhelming for children because they may
have a hard time processing their emotions after the split of their parents.
That's why it is important for divorced parents to provide emotional
support by listening to their kids and doing their best to understand
how their children are feeling. Taking the time to build trust between
you and your children and providing a safe, nonjudgmental space to discuss
their feelings can allow them to feel heard and validated. Encouraging
your children to express themselves in healthy and productive ways can
help them learn how to cope with this new family setup in a positive way.
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Create a routine. A consistent routine can help children who are dealing with the aftermath
of their parents' divorce to feel secure and connected to both parents.
Create a schedule that allows for regular, predictable times for seeing
each parent, as well as for day-to-day activities like homework, meals,
and bedtime. When kids know what's coming next, they don't have
to spend time worrying about what might happen. Instead, they can focus
on taking care of themselves and building a strong relationship with both
parents. This will provide much-needed stability in their lives and can
even help them develop healthy habits over the long term.
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Give them space. Allow your children time to be alone if they need it, but also make sure
they know you are available when they need you. Divorce can be a traumatic
event for children, and it’s important to help them process their
emotions and figure out how to adjust to the new circumstances. One important
way of doing this is giving them space. This includes both physical and
emotional space. Doing so not only allows children to spend some time
alone whenever they need it but also shows them that you understand they
might benefit from some privacy now and then. At the same time, though,
it is crucial that children know that you are still there for them when
they are feeling lost or overwhelmed. By making sure they understand you
want to talk if they ever want help or support, you can ensure that your
children have all the necessary tools they need to cope with your divorce.
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Talk positively about the other parent. Encourage each child to maintain relationships with both parents without
taking sides or making them choose one over the other. Divorce can be
a difficult experience for both parents and their children, and it is
important as divorced parents to actively support each other in parenting.
One way to do this is for each parent to talk positively about the other
parent when engaging with their children. This helps eliminate unnecessary
tension or pressure for the child and can help facilitate stability in
their lives. In addition, it reinforces the value of maintaining relationships
with both parents without making them choose one over the other.
At Arnold Law Group, APC, our legal team has more than 30 years of combined experience successfully
guiding clients through the divorce process in Fresno. To discuss your
situation with our experienced divorce lawyers in California, give us a call at 559.900.1263 or contact us online
today for a confidential consultation.