Help Children Through Divorce

FamilyDivorce

  • Author Anne Kaye
  • Published July 29, 2007
  • Word count 664

Divorce is a serious matter and should not be undertaken lightly. Divorce is a time of great change for both of you and for your children. Divorce is always tragic when children are involved, no matter how "good".

There is some people who says that divorce is always bad for the children.

There are so many feelings that are going to be present. You may have emotions like anger, fear, shame, and even guilt , but the chances are that the children will also experience these emotions. You are taking the children's security blanket and tearing it in two. It is unusual for children to get through a divorce without some type of breakdown. It is imperative that parents are there when the child goes through any breakdown and help to build the child back to a positive outcome. Parents must let children cope with their emotions by supporting them to talk about their feelings. Divorce is a process of grief for children and you will want to make sure that they feel loved by both parents.

If you really want to help your children, you will want to change yourself. Even if you are angry, you cannot allow the anger to be seen in front of the children. You will not want to expose them to marital conflicts. This means that you do not want to argue with your spouse in front of the children or on the phone where the children can hear. You will also want to get over all of your feelings for their sake. This is so you can have a relationship with your spouse. Take some time to grieve for your marriage and then get over it. You will want to act like it is nothing that breaks you. You are going to have to talk to yourself about letting go of the anger so that you can show your children that you care about the family. Basically, you will have to act civilized towards each other. If divorce is imminent, researchers agree that it is best to tell the children right away. The way in which divorce is discussed with children will influence their reaction.

Any agreement (and there definitely should be an agreement) should ensure that the child or children maintain close and continuing contact with both parents after the divorce is final. One of the many reasons divorce is so painful for children is that their relationship with each parent is constantly being tested and redefined. Also, you will want to focus on the strengths of the family. Take the time to do things that the kids are good at and enjoy. This means that you will want to take them to a game, see a concert, or even have art night. This is where you just do things to help everyone bond. There are a lot of negative thoughts around the family when they go through a divorce. This is why you will want to think about going to family counseling so that you can get through things together.

Also, you will want to maintain some routine. You will want to make sure that no one isolates himself or herself, but everyone comes together and leans on each other. You will also want to make sure that you take care of the family health. This means that you have to look after the mental health and also the physical well-being of the family. Divorce is hard, but you do not have to make it hard. This is a time where you need to stop thinking about yourself and your own feelings and think about how the children feel. The only people who think divorce is easy have never been divorced.

Some final points to remember.

Although divorce is sometimes inevitable, prevention is possible.

A "good" divorce is not as good as an intact family -- remember that.

Divorce is always sad, a sad ending to what once was hope.

See more at effects of divorce

As a mother and grandmother, Anne has seen the effect that divorce has had on children.

Get her book "Divorce and the Family" at Divorce and the Family

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