If you’re going through a separation, you have an ethical duty to support any children who might be affected by it. This won’t be lost on the vast majority of parents – but knowing exactly what form that support should take isn’t always easy. Let’s take a look at some of the ways in which you might support your children and protect their well-being as you go through the process.
The Impact of Divorce on Children
Divorce can be a very challenging thing for children. The emotional effects, however, can vary from age group to age group, and child to child. You’ll need to therefore tailor your support to the needs of the child being supported. Children might suffer from feelings like anger, confusion, depression and resentment. Being able to spot these negative feelings, and providing a positive way of dealing with them, is essential.
Maintaining Consistency and Stability for Children
When your parents are going through a divorce, it can feel as though life and all of its parts are up in the air. This can create a source of considerable uncertainty and stress for children. The best antidote for this problem is to actively create stability through a consistent routine. Make sure that your child maintains the same after-school activities and that there is time for friends and decompression. Don’t change the schedule around unless you have to. This is something parents should agree on in advance.
Effective Communication with Your Children
During a divorce, children might labour under a number of misconceptions. They might perceive that they are to blame for the divorce, or that their relationship with their parents is going to change in fundamental, negative ways. These impressions tend to take form in the vacuum created by silence. Talk to your children about the divorce, and why it happened. Anticipate their misconceptions, and make sure you clearly state that you love them and that you always will.
Co-Parenting Strategies for Divorced Parents
As part of the divorce proceedings, you may want to develop a strategy for co-parenting. This is an agreement that can inform many aspects of your child’s life and upbringing. It will also help to ensure that you don’t run into disagreements later, which can create additional strife even after the divorce is done. Divorce solicitors might help you to agree on the details of this document.
Seeking Professional Support for Your Child
Some children might benefit from other kinds of support during the divorce. The involvement of a professional counsellor might help them to cope with the changes going on in their lives and the emotional consequences of those changes. There are also plenty of online resources to call upon.