Children whose parents are divorcing can have varied reactions to the news of the divorce. Depending on their age and maturity level, they may not understand what a divorce is let alone what it means. Some children react with feelings of guilt, thinking they are the cause of the divorce. Other children may fear that they will lose one or both parents because of the change. As the parent, it is your job to make sure that your child understands the situation so that they can have healthy reactions. Here are three tips you can use to help you tell your children about your divorce:
Younger children often do not understand the entire aspect of divorce. Most of the time, all they know is that mommy and daddy are no longer living together. When talking to younger children about your divorce, make sure you use words and concepts that they understand. Your conversation does not have to go into great detail, but it is important that you tell the truth. Older children will probably need a bit more explanation, however, you should avoid disclosing too much information so as to paint the other parent in a bad light.
It is usually recommended that all children be present when you decide to break the news -- the last thing you would want is for one child to hear the news from another. Also, do not tell your children too early that you are getting a divorce -- if divorce is not certain between you and your spouse, you should not alert your children about the issues.
If it is at all possible, it is a good idea for you and your spouse to plan out how you would like the conversation to go. This way, you can make sure you hit all the points needed, and you can avoid emotional outbursts of blame or other harsh words. Agree with your spouse on the reason you are telling the children that you are getting divorced and stick with it.
In order to make the process of divorce easier on everyone, it is important to have representation from a successful and experienced Hinsdale, IL divorce lawyer. At the Law Office of Martoccio & Martoccio, we have experience handling even the most complex and contentious divorce cases. Contact our office today to discover how we can help you with your divorce case. To schedule a free consultation, call our office at 630-920-8855.
Sources:
https://www.healthychildren.org/English/healthy-living/emotional-wellness/Building-Resilience/Pages/How-to-Talk-to-Your-Children-about-Divorce.aspx
https://www.helpguide.org/articles/parenting-family/children-and-divorce.htm#guide