If you share children with your spouse, you will need to take steps to help the kids cope with the fallout from your upcoming divorce. Generally speaking, it’s a good idea to be as honest as possible about what is happening without going into too much detail. Take a closer look at some of the specific steps that you can take to make sure your children are able to adjust to their new reality.
Present a united front with the other parent
Assuming that you have a good relationship with your child’s other parent, it may be best to make a joint statement to your children regarding the end of your marriage. Doing so can help show your son or daughter that they won’t be losing the love or support of the adults they need the most during a difficult time. It can also help provide a foundation for a successful co-parenting relationship with your soon-to-be ex-spouse, who will likely be in your life for years to come.
Keep an eye on your child’s behavior
It’s possible that your son or daughter will come to you when he or she is feeling sad, upset, or anxious. However, it’s more likely that your child will express his or her emotions through actions as opposed to words. For example, a child who is depressed may get bad grades in school, start bullying other students or act out at home. A therapist may help you and your child through this transition.
Don’t be afraid to enforce the rules
Young people thrive when they have boundaries and structure in their lives. Therefore, you are actually doing your son or daughter a favor by enforcing your house rules after a divorce even if you feel guilty doing so.
A divorce can be just as difficult for your children as it is for you. You can make their lives easier by paying attention to their words and actions for clues as to how to help them deal with the split.