Helping Your Children Cope with Divorce
Divorce is not always easy, and it can be especially difficult for children. Children may feel uneasy and afraid because of the drastic changes that are happening in their lives. It is best to take steps to help your children deal with the changes as they adjust to the new life circumstances. Helping your children cope with the divorce gives them the support they need for a healthy adjustment.
Explain Changes
Parents will want to explain the family changes that will happen and allow the child to ask questions. The explanation should be in line with the age of the child. Encourage children to discuss their concerns and assure them that they are loved. Create an environment that allows your child to ask questions freely.
Maintain Routines
Children thrive on routines and feel comfortable when they know what happens each day. It is a good idea to develop a routine that will be as easy to follow as possible. Both parents should work together to establish a new daily and weekly plan that will be best for the child. Inform the school of the family situation and advise them as to which parent will pick up the child on which days.
Ensure Visitation
When parents begin living apart, they need to establish where the child will live and when they will have visitation with the other parent. Children may be afraid they will not be able to spend time with the non-custodial parent. It is up to parents to make sure that they set up a schedule that allows the child adequate time with both parents. You may also want to provide regular cell or text access to each parent.
Foster Communication
Parents should communicate with each other regarding their children on a regular basis. Communication is essential to the child’s ongoing health and well-being. Both parents need to be aware of the things that are happening in the child’s life as well as any issues that are of concern. Parents need to communicate with each other directly and not through the children.
Guide and Support Your Child
Although you are likely going through your own emotional turmoil, you will need to spend time ensuring that your child is adjusting well to the new family dynamic. Pay attention to your child’s behavior and emotions as well as their schoolwork. If you notice that your child is having difficulties, you may need to offer the support of a therapist, psychologist, or family counselor.
Going through separation and divorce with children can be challenging, but with your love and support, your children will adjust to the situation more easily. If you have decided to divorce, you will want to talk to a qualified divorce attorney as soon as possible. Your lawyer will guide the divorce process and make it easier for you so you will be able to spend time helping your children cope with divorce. We are here to answer your questions and assist with the divorce. Contact us today at Arnold & Smith, PLLC, at (704) 370-2828 to schedule a consultation.
The family law practice group at Arnold & Smith, PLLC includes two Board-Certified Family Law specialists and one Child Welfare Law specialist, as well as several attorneys with many years of family law experience that are committed to providing a powerful voice to individuals facing the often-tumultuous issues in this area of law. The range of issues our family law clients may be facing include pre- and post-nuptial agreements; separation agreements; post-separation support; child support (both temporary and permanent); absolute divorce; divorce from bed and board; military divorce; equitable distribution of assets; child custody (both temporary and permanent); retirement benefits and divorce; alimony and spousal support; adoption; and emancipation. Because this area of the law is usually emotionally charged and complicated, the family law attorneys at Arnold & Smith, PLLC act with the utmost dedication to ensure that each client understands his or her options, and then act to achieve the best result possible for that client’s particular situation.
Source:
https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/articles/22666-child-psychologist
https://www.law.cornell.edu/wex/visitation
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