Divorce can come with a mix of emotions for you and your children. Whether the divorce was a welcome transition to a new chapter or the news blindsided you, divorce will still come with significant adjustments for every family member.
Your children will likely go through several stages of coping with the divorce. You may find that they do not know how to talk about it or have more questions than you can answer.
Here are a few tips for helping your children deal with the divorce process.
Support the questions
At some point, your children will likely have at least a few questions. They will wonder about the impact on their lives and what is in store for the family’s future.
Your children’s questions may not always come at the best times, but you can help them cope with the changes by making time to talk to them. If you cannot answer a question when they ask, set aside a specific time to speak to them (and make sure you follow through).
During this transition, your children are looking at whether there will still be consistency in their relationship with you. You can help them feel stability in an unstable time by making time for their concerns and addressing them in an age-appropriate way.
Your ex is still their parent
The conflict you have with your ex can feel like it involves everyone in the family. You may also feel like no one else will be able to understand and support you the way other members of the household can.
Keep in mind that most divorces end with both parents having some amount of custody or visitation. You can help your child maintain a positive relationship with their other parent by limiting what you say to them about your ex.
Divorce can be a tumultuous time for you and your children. You can support your kids by letting them feel heard and helping them have a positive relationship with their other parent.