There is a lot that goes into getting a divorce, especially if you have children. Your job is to make sure your child gets through this process without any additional stress.
There are things you should and should not be doing when discussing divorce with a child. Here are some tips that you must absolutely follow:
— Don’t be afraid to consult with a child therapist with your soon to be former spouse. This will ensure that both of you are on the same page, which will benefit your child in the long run.
— Make sure both parents are on the same page. You and your spouse need to have the same conversation with your child, making sure that the details are consistent.
— Talk about how things will stay the same at home. You don’t want your child to think that their life is being turned upside down.
— Never place blame. You may think that the other person is responsible for the divorce, but this isn’t something to discuss with your child.
— Expect your child to be upset. You should be ready for your child to cry. You should also be ready to explain the divorce process, which includes telling your child that he or she is not responsible for the split in any way.
These types of tips will make it much easier to discuss divorce with your children.
When you take the right approach, you can put divorce in the past without impacting your children. This allows everyone to move towards a better future.
Source: The Huffington Post, “How To Tell Your Children About Divorce In Ten Steps,” accessed June 24, 2016
