You may be considering talking about your divorce to your children. It may not be an easy conversation, but it is a necessary one. If your children hear about your divorce from you first, it could protect them from the news getting out from someone else – which could hurt their feelings.
Before you jump into a conversation about divorce with our children, it may help to prepare. There are a few things you can do. Here’s what you should know:
Understand what you should say to children of different ages
Children of different ages will respond differently when hearing about divorce. For example, infants are very likely not going to understand what divorce means or why it’s happening. They’ll likely respond to the changes and not remember much about why it’s happening.
Children in grade school may respond differently depending on their emotional maturity. Some children may accept the news and others may lash out upon hearing their parents won’t be together anymore. Teenagers are more likely to act out when they hear the news and isolate themselves.
Talk about what will change for your children
When talking to your children about divorce, you can discuss what’s going to be different once the divorce is over. This could help your children settle into their new reality. For example, you may want to talk about how your children will see each parent on different days or how they may need to change schools.
Have a plan for the future
It’s going to take time for your children to accept that their parents are divorced. Until then, you can take your time planning for your future after your divorce. By understanding your legal options, you may be able to get a divorce resolution that benefits you and your children.
