How to Protect Your Kids in the Divorce

For children, divorce means the end of their life as they know it. They find themselves stuck between two opposing parents, and are often left feeling hopeless, guilty, angry, anxious, or depressed. Just as you will, they too will have to pass through the grief cycle. While no child’s experience is the same, there are general guidelines that you as a parent passing through a divorce can follow to help make the process easier for your children.

Both Parents Should Remain Involved in the Child’s Life

This is arguably the most important thing for you to do, and can be extremely effective in protecting your children. It’s thought that children with divorced parents lead a much happier and complete life when both parents remain an active part of their upbringing.

Therefore, if it’s possible for you to do so, you should all celebrate birthdays and other special occasions together, as well as being active in the child’s day-to-day life. You could also look to keep a routine going that allows both parents to play an important role, which also ensures that children get to spend quality time with both parents.

Be Considerate With Your Approach to Breaking the News

When children first hear of the divorce between their parents, it can be a very difficult and confusing time for them, and that is why you should ensure that you tell them in the correct way. You should tell them in good time, ensuring that they know that the divorce is not their fault, as well as not placing the blame onto your former partner either.

Don’t Have a Contentious Court Battle

The longer the divorce proceedings go on, the more difficult life during and after the divorce can become. Not only can the parents find the divorce stressful, but the children can too, and if the proceedings drag on they can feel as though they are in the middle causing all of the upset. Lasting damage can also be caused when the court places the decision within the children’s hands, so you should choose to move forward as parents together, even though you are no longer in a relationship with each other.

If you need help with divorce and child custody matters, call (570) 284-3551 today to speak to our Lackawanna County family law attorneys.