Children don’t often want to hear their parents are splitting up. Those dreaded words can often leave them feeling upset, depressed, confused and uncertain about their future.
Unfortunately, the reality is that nearly half of marriages in the U.S. end in separation. While handing a spouse the divorce papers can be heartwrenching, it can be even more emotionally traumatizing to tell the kids.
Effectively telling the kids about the decision
Here is how divorcing parents may want to approach the situation:
- Find the right time: Spouses often keep their decision to divorce a secret at first, as they may want to wait until things are finalized to break the news. It’s vital to do so because some children may not handle uncertainty very well.
- Avoid placing blame on one another: Depending on their circumstances, spouses may foster resentment towards one another. However, they may want to put those feelings aside when talking to their kids. They may also want to avoid discussing any details to them about their decision to split.
- Let them feel how they feel: Kids may be confused, upset or even angry after learning about the divorce. They may also have questions about where they will live, where they will go to school and when they’ll get to see each parent. If parents are still sorting out the details of their separation, they may want to assure their kids that it will take some time, but that the decision is best for everyone in the family.
Breaking the news can be hard
No matter how the conversation ends, telling the kids about the separation can be tricky and upsetting. South Carolina couples looking to file for divorce may want to seek out an experienced and diligent family law attorney. They can often help splitting couples create a parenting plan and reach an agreement that can work for everyone involved.
