Divorce can be messy and the last thing anyone wants is to have their children caught up in the middle of it. Understanding how divorce affects children, understanding court decisions, and figuring out the best way to tell your children will help you figure out how to help them come to terms with what is happening.
How Divorce Affects Children
Divorce is a stressful situation for all children, however many bounce back quickly. Each case of divorce is different and each child is different. There is no telling how your child may react to the news and if they will have any long lasting issues. To help protect your child, there are several things you can do to reduce the effect your divorce may have on your child. Honesty, for one, is a great start. This is one way that you will be able to build some trust with your child.
Court Decisions
Ideally, you and your spouse will come to a decision together regarding custody of your children. However, often this is not the case. Most cases of divorce aren’t as amicable as people want them to be. While you may not be happy about the decision they come to, family law courts prioritize children’s interests during divorce proceedings. Your lawyers and the court will figure out what situation is best for the children. This, hopefully, is what you and your spouse both want in the end.
Telling Your Children
Divorce is hard, but telling your children that you’re getting a divorce can be one of the hardest steps. There are a few things that you can do as you’re telling them to make it a little easier on you and help them understand. Start by telling the truth. Your kids deserve to know why their lives are changing so dramatically. Tell them you love them. Your children need to know that just because love was lacking in your marriage, it was never lacking in your relationship with them. Finally, avoid blaming anyone. Try not to be critical of your spouse. This will show your children that they don’t have to choose any sides.
When going through a divorce, it’s important to make sure you do what’s best for your children. By educating yourself on these things, you can make sure that the effect on your children is minimal.
Read this next: The Challenges of Dividing Assets and Debts in a Divorce