Practice Areas
DIVORCE ARTICLES
Going Through a Divorce with Your Children
When getting a divorce with children you will want to focus on the children’s concerns the most. Depending on what age your children are will depend on how you break the news to them for the first time. As a parent, you will both need to sit down and calmly tell them what is happening. You will want to make sure they know that you love them dearly and this will not change. Try not to upset them and in doing this you must think carefully on how you will say things that have to do with the divorce. You will want to make sure they feel safe and they don’t worry that you don’t love them still.
You may find yourself getting very angry or maybe you’re getting into more arguments with your spouse, but make sure you don’t do this in front of the children. This will upset them and could cause them to worry about the future. You will want to remain mature about the situation and make sure you don’t call each other names or disrespect each other in front of the children.
You will never want to try to keep your children away from the other spouse unless there is some danger to them and their welfare. In most cases, the child will live either with one parent or share the parenting time equally. You will want to make sure the children know that they can call or see their other parent anytime they want or need to. Your understanding and love does not end with a divorce. You may see that you are becoming a better parent through the process of divorce. It is true that divorce can be very depressing for each of the parents, but you will need to keep your emotional and physical strength for sake of the children and their emotional welfare. You may find yourself wanting to win the child over with presents or money, but try not to do this. Be yourself and just spend time with them and give them support. Let them know that they are very important to you. Always keep your promises with them and always be there for them when it is time for you to spend time with them.
Please remember that when parents divorce, this can affect the children permanently. There have been many studies that confirm that children that go through a divorce usually get divorced when they are married later on in their lives. Because of this you will need to consider if your children need professional therapy to help them with their issues regarding the divorce. If you see that they have expressed a need to talk with someone, please allow them to do so, whether it is a family member, friend or therapist. You will want to keep their needs top priority during this time so that they grow up to be happy and healthy adults.