Divorce is hard on adults. Just think how difficult it is for children, who rarely understand why their parents are separating, do not have any say in where they live or what their new lives will entail, and whose entire life schedules and normal routines are disrupted every few days or weeks when they go to stay with their other parent. As a mother or father, you can make this difficult process easier on them. The months that divorce takes will be a challenge, but you have the ability to minimize the stress and anxiety that your children experience during this time.

Refrain from Bad Mouthing the Other Parent in Front of Your Children

Children are more likely to identify with the parent that is the same gender as they are. Sons will identify with fathers, and daughters will identify with mothers. As such, if a father says to his daughter, “I hope you don’t end up being like your mother,” or makes some other crude or disrespectful comment in front of his daughter, his daughter may internalize that and her emotional development will be delayed or impaired. Even saying something negative about a son’s mother, who is a different gender than him, has a negative effect on the child. It may be tempting to bad mouth or grumble about the other parent, but this can have serious consequences on your child’s emotional and psychological state of mind.

Keeping Conflict Away from Your Children, Communication, and Maintaining a Relationship with Both Parents

Even discluding court appearances and mediation, divorce is filled with conflict between the two spouses. Children pick up on the most subtle derogatory comments just as easily as a shouting argument. Exposure to any type of conflict increases the child’s risk of developing psychological and social problems, according to the American Psychological Association (APA). Parents should consider doing the following:

Most people believe that divorce has a negative effect on children. While divorce can be difficult for them, it can also teach them valuable lessons and set them up for a happy and successful future. Here are five ways children can benefit from divorce:

1. Self Sufficiency

Children in divorced families are often more self-sufficient. Since it can be a challenge for single parents to complete all of their household chores, they often ask their children for help. This teaches them how to care for their home and themselves and they become more responsible as a result.

Divorce is an emotional process. Therefore, it is essential to lean on your friends and family to help you get through this difficult time. If you have difficulty opening up to your loved ones or would like guidance from others who know exactly what divorce is like, consider joining a divorce support group. A divorce support group can do wonders for your mental health and offers the following benefits:

Valuable Advice

If you have never gone through the divorce process before, you may not know what to expect. By listening to what others in your divorce support group have dealt with, you can learn how to overcome emotional pain, seek legal representation, and co-parent well with your ex-spouse.

Now that it is spring and the summer is fast approaching, you may be invited to one or several weddings. If you have recently gotten divorced and this is your first wedding season single, you may be nervous about going to a wedding solo and unsure of how to RSVP to the weddings invitations you receive. Here are several wedding season tips that are sure to make wedding season an enjoyable rather than dreadful time for you.

1. RSVP Yes

It may be tempting for you to RSVP no. However, doing so can lead to social isolation and loneliness. You were invited to a wedding because a couple wants you to witness their special day so you should be there for them if you are able to. By attending a wedding, you can surround yourself with happy people and have a great time.

If you are going through a divorce, you may wonder how it will affect your work life. There are certain tips that can help you be productive at work and ensure that your personal life does not get in the way of your performance. Here are four tips for working while going through a divorce.

1. Avoid Oversharing

When telling your boss and co-workers about your divorce, you should avoid oversharing personal details and explaining why your marriage did not work. Simply let them know how your divorce will impact your job and duties. You can provide them with a list of dates and times that you will have to miss work due to divorce commitments and let them know whether you will need additional help completing your duties.