Helping Children Cope During the Divorce Process

 Posted on October 01, 2018 in Child Custody

When parents go through a divorce, they often wonder what will help their children cope during the process. Some try to take the focus off the divorce, sometimes to the point that they are unintentionally minimizing its impact on the child. Others try to cater to their child’s wants and needs, sometimes to the point that the child does not ever truly feel the complex emotions that children of divorce often experience. Sadly, this can ultimately stunt the child’s emotional and psychological growth. Learn what you can do to help your child deal with the divorce process in a healthy way, and discover how a seasoned attorney can assist you with the process.

Your Actions and Behavior in Divorce - Why It Matters

Parents sometimes mistakenly tell their children that the divorce “is between the adults” and “has nothing to do with them” when, in fact, nothing could be further from the truth. Yes, while the divorce proceedings are truly about the parents and their decision to end the relationship, it is important that parents avoid behaving or acting in ways that inadvertently minimize the impact that the parents’ decision has on the child. Their entire life is changing.

At the very least, a child may be shuffled from one parent’s house to the other during and after the divorce. In more complicated cases, children can endure months of contention and uncertainty regarding who they will live with once the divorce is over, how often they will see each parent, and where they will go to school. In short, divorce often has a dramatic impact on the lives of children, and they rarely have any say over the proceedings or ultimate outcome. This is why your behavior and actions in a divorce matter to your child - and not just in their present situation, but in their future as well.

What Your Child Really Needs During a Divorce

At the end of the day, what your child really needs from you and your spouse during a divorce is for the both of you to act like adults. Avoid arguments, do not fish for details when your child returns from your spouse’s house, allow your child to process their emotions (while still expecting them to treat you with respect), and know the signs of a seriously troubled child, such as withdrawal from school, friends, or extracurricular activities and a sudden decline in hygiene. Above all, ensure you have experienced legal assistance while navigating the process, as this can minimize the negative contact between arguing parents but still allows them to communicate about their child as they work through the details of their divorce.

Contact Our DuPage County Divorce Attorneys

When the outcome of your divorce matters and the mental and emotional well-being of your child is on the line, it is important to select a family law attorney with both knowledge and compassion. Backed by more than 40 years of family law experience, Stock, Carlson & Asso. LLC are the ones to trust. Schedule your consultation with our Wheaton divorce lawyers by calling 630-665-2500 today.

Source:

http://www.foxnews.com/opinion/2018/09/09/divorce-is-never-easy-but-here-s-what-your-kids-need-most-from.html