Preparing Your Children for Divorce
When parents divorce, one of the most daunting parts of the process is to help children understand and become accustomed to a new status quo. However, there are some steps you can take to help your children feel more comfortable with an upcoming divorce or separation. Here are some helpful tips on ensuring that your children can quickly and easily accommodate this type of change in their lives while you take care of your affairs.
Take Advantage of Professional and Personal Resources
Dozens of books have been written on the subject of helping children understand and get through the divorce or separation of their parents. Some resources are available for free online, which can give you a basic outline of how to help your children through the process. Also, the help of a therapist or social worker can bring the family together, ease tensions between family members, explain divorce and separation to children in a sensitive and effective manner, and give children an opportunity to express and sort through their feelings. Other resources might be ones from your personal life. Do not underestimate the positive impact the presence of a trusted family friend or relatives can have in preparing your children for divorce, easing the strain on relationships, and providing a friendly distraction for children while adults handle their affairs.
Avoid Common Mistakes
There is plenty of information available regarding common issues that arise when helping children deal with the divorce or separation of their parents. For instance, children often experience feelings of guilt or shame, as though they are at fault for the division of the family. They also tend to be left out of divorce proceedings, and find themselves unable to express their feelings and needs. Or, the children are confused about the process and feel a great deal of uncertainty and instability. Combatting these common problems through clear, kid-friendly communication can make the difference between a happy and well-adjusted child and one who harbors negative feelings about the divorce into the future, so maintain an awareness of your children’s reactions and emotions as you proceed through the divorce or separation process.
Ensure Other Tasks Are Complete
One of the most important ways to ensure that you can best prepare your children for a divorce or separation is to make sure that other tasks, including legal obligations, are in good hands. Attempting to juggle changes within the family and simultaneously complete a full divorce agreement, divide property, and settle other affairs can lead to a stressful mess and, even worse, can lead to something important falling through the cracks. But at Schwartz | White in Boca Raton, experienced family law attorneys are available to take care of everything from the massive, intimidating tasks to the mere minutia of divorce or separation.. The help of a qualified family lawyer can help protect children’s and adults’ rights in legal conflicts and also keep stress out of the equation, leaving you more time to care for those you love. Call 561-391-9943 today for a consultation.
