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Divorce is a challenging experience for everyone, especially for young children who may lack the tools to fully understand the situation and what it means for their future. That is why it is crucial for parents to break the news to them as gently as possible. How you handle this conversation will play a pivotal role in how your children cope with the coming changes. Continue reading for some helpful tips on how to approach this conversation.
Breaking the News
Before you tell your children about your impending divorce, you and your spouse should discuss the matter and plan to have this talk together, as a team. Understandably, you may not be on the best of terms, but it is important to set your feelings aside to provide the compassionate support your children need.
Here are some tips that will help you along the way:
- Tell that at an appropriate time. For example, telling them on a Friday will give them a chance to process the information and ask follow-up questions. It can even minimize the likelihood of them acting out in school.
- As you tell them about the divorce, avoid blaming each other for it. The blame game will not help anyone and it will only upset your children.
- Children sometimes believe that divorce is their fault. Of course, this could not be farther from the truth, so make sure they understand that this was an adult decision and nothing they did caused it and there was no way they could prevent it.
- Divorce is also an uncertain time for children and they may begin to doubt a lot about their lives, including your love for them. Let them know that this does not change your love for them and, although life will be different, you will both still be part of their lives and continue to support them.
- Do not give them any details about why you are getting divorced. Maybe your spouse was a wasteful spender or one of you was unfaithful, but neither of these details are necessary and it will lead you down a path where you may find yourself blaming each other.
After this conversation, you will likely have more and your children might have additional questions, so you should continue to make yourself as available as possible to them.
Hire a Compassionate and Knowledgeable Family Law Attorney Today!
If you are getting a divorce and have children, this is undoubtedly a tough time for you and your kids. At Moyer Law, PC, our attorney has more than two decades of experience and has handled thousands of family law cases with successful results. You can rely on us to provide the strong legal support you need to navigate this difficult process.
Reach out to our law office today at (401) 305-2934 to set up an initial consultation.