Ways to Help Children Cope with Divorce

divorceIf you’re contemplating divorce, you likely already know that this is a difficult and testing time for your family. Filing for divorce is difficult enough as it is, but if you have a child or children, a divorce can be especially frightening.

You and your soon-to-be ex-spouse need to do what is right for yourselves, but also what is best for your child.

Children of divorce often experience a range of emotions. Depending on their age and relationship with you and the other parent, they may be confused about why one parent is no longer living at home. They may be angry at whichever parent initiated the divorce. They may worry that it is their fault. They may be emotionally torn about which parent they want to “live” with. 

Fortunately, there are ways that you can help your child cope with divorce. Working with a child custody lawyer is one of the best ways that you can mitigate family issues and help your child understand what’s happening and why everything is going to be “okay”.

Ways to Help Children Cope with Divorce

Helping your child cope with divorce is a long-term process. Put together by a DC child custody lawyer, consider these three tips to help your child cope effectively.

Stay Involved

Overall, your priority should be your child and his or her health and wellbeing. One of the best ways to ensure their wellbeing and help them cope with your new family arrangement is to stay involved with them. Try to keep things as normal as possible for your child.

If you normally pick him or her up from school and drive them to band practice, continue to do that. If you normally have a weeknight movie night, try to do that when possible. Discuss it with the other parent and agree on which night works best.

The more you can show your child that the divorce will not affect their relationship with you or their other parent, the better. Love, support, and stability are crucial to helping them cope with the divorce and their new lifestyle.

Be Aware of What you Say about the Other Parent

No matter how your relationship is with your ex-spouse, you should always watch what you say about them to your child. Speaking ill of your child’s other parent sows seeds of discord in your family unit. It can be damaging to everyone involved.

Always keep your emotions under control and be careful what you say and how you act in front of your child. Remember that, ultimately, you are his or her best example.

Try Mediation if Necessary

If you have concerns about your divorce or child custody arrangements, or you and your spouse just can’t reach an agreement, you may find it helpful to try mediation. In mediation, you and your spouse work with a mediator to resolve conflicts and address concerns.

Rather than a trial, mediation allows you to reach a resolution with the help of the mediator, who is an impartial third party. You can attempt mediation if you are working with a child custody lawyer, or if you are representing yourself.

Learn More by Contacting a Child Custody Lawyer

If you need help sorting out divorce or child custody matters, working with a child custody lawyer could be helpful. A lawyer will help you and your spouse establish child custody and visitation agreements as simply as possible.

During the process, a lawyer will keep your child’s best interests at the forefront of all negotiations. Lawyers know that divorce can be difficult for children, and often, they are helpful in establishing the foundation for how your family manages the divorce.

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