Divorce is often hard for people to come to terms with. For children, it can be more difficult to understand. Dealing with the affects divorce has on you is hard all on its own, but when you need to worry about how to tell your kids, and how to make them understand, can be much more complex than anticipated.
When children are involved in a divorce, they are often the ones who have to deal with the most change. Moving from one house to another regularly can place a heavy burden on kids who already do not understand why their parents had to divorce.
There are plenty of ways to help your children make an easier transition from what they were used to prior to divorce, to the new routines that come with a permanent separation.
- Explain to your children that the divorce is not their fault. KidsHealth reported teens commonly feel their parents’ divorce was partially their fault. It’s important for them to understand the divorce was because of the parents’ issues.
- Traveling between households doesn’t have to be a negative part of the divorce. If you plan on sharing custody, and having your kids come to and from each house, explain why this is necessary. Explain that this allows equal time spent with each parent.
- Being civil to each other as parents will help keep arrangements less stressful. Though it’s still an adjustment, maintaining good communication, and being fair, will help your kids adjust more comfortably.
- Be a supportive parent through communication. Talk to your children about what is bothering them. Kids and teenagers have differing concerns and after a divorce, they may feel like they don’t have anyone to talk to. Regardless of their age, it is beneficial to maintain a relationship with your children where they feel free to talk to you when they have a problem.
These are just a few tips that might make your divorce easier on your children. Sometimes parents are so caught up in dealing with how the divorce affects them personally, they forget their kids are going through a huge change, too.
If you are going through divorce, learn more about Texas laws that involve your children. Contact the family law attorneys at Barerra, Sanchez and Associates, P.C. at 956-287-7555 to learn more about Texas divorce laws.