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How Parents Can Help Their Children Cope with Divorce

Every day, some families deal with the struggle of going through divorce and separation. It is tough to dismantle a marriage, but it is even harder for children when they see their home being torn in two. While the grownups are working out finances, property division, and living arrangements, the children are left feeling lost and filled with so many questions that they might burst. With that in mind, parents should take the time to help them through this process. Here are some ideas on how parents can help their children cope with divorce.

Encourage Being Open

As said previously, kids will have so many questions and be filled with emotions like insecurity and doubt. Parents need to show their children that their feelings are valid and that they understand why they are feeling this way. Most importantly, the parents must reassure them that, even though things are changing, they are free to be open about their thoughts and feelings to one or both parents and always be heard and validated. Leaving a kid feeling unheard or unnoticed during a separation can lead to more emotional issues further down the road.

Offer Support

Once the children are helped to express their thoughts and concerns, it is important to let them know they have support. Try asking them what they may need to help them feel better or what fun activities they would like to do. Perhaps just sitting on the couch and cuddling or having them hold their favorite toy is enough to help them through their rollercoaster of emotions. Other fun ideas could be having them do something for the other parent, like draw a picture or create an art project.

Torn child's drawing of their happy family

Don’t Spill the Tea on the Divorce

Even the most amicable divorces can have some hard feelings between adults, leaving people feeling raw and hurt. When children are involved, it is even more critical to make sure that such feelings are not spoken where they can hear. Their parents are equally important to them, and one parent bashing the other will only lead to alienation, emotional damage, and eventual therapy. Try to keep talking about the other parent civilly, especially when the kids are within earshot. Perhaps, wait until they are with the other parent before getting things off your chest.

Find Some Help

Sometimes parents can use some extra help when trying to help their kids through the process of divorce or separation. There are support groups available to help them or to help the children through it and professional therapists and counselors. These resources can help kids to learn that it is okay to need help and seek out those who can. Specializing in helping kids of all ages, parents can rest easy knowing that there are experts like Prime Lawyers Family Law who can help them provide emotional support and perhaps, help them get through such turbulent times.

About Julee: Julee Morrison is an experienced author with 35 years of expertise in parenting and recipes. She is the author of four cookbooks: The Instant Pot College Cookbook, The How-To Cookbook for Teens, The Complete Cookbook for Teens, and The Complete College Cookbook. Julee is passionate about baking, crystals, reading, and family. Her writing has appeared in The LA Times (Bon Jovi Obsession Goes Global), Disney's Family Fun Magazine (August 2010, July 2009, September 2008), and My Family Gave Up Television (page 92, Disney Family Fun August 2010). Her great ideas have been featured in Disney's Family Fun (Page 80, September 2008) and the Write for Charity book From the Heart (May 2010). Julee's work has also been published in Weight Watchers Magazine, All You Magazine (Jan. 2011, February 2011, June 2013), Scholastic Parent and Child Magazine (Oct. 2011), Red River Family Magazine (Jan. 2011), BonAppetit.com, and more. Notably, her article "My Toddler Stood on Elvis' Grave and Scaled Over Boulders to Get to a Dinosaur" made AP News, and "The Sly Way I Cured My Child's Lying Habit" was featured on PopSugar. When she's not writing, Julee enjoys spending time with her family and exploring new baking recipes.
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