If you’re like most parents going through a divorce, your main concern is your children – and the ways that your divorce might affect them.
But how much does divorce really affect children, and what can you do to make it easier on them?
The Effects of Divorce on Children
Kids whose parents are divorcing have to deal with big lifestyle changes. They’re not going to see both of their parents at the same time any more, and divorce often results in kids having to move from one home to another. One of the biggest challenges they face is the uncertainty of what’s going to happen next.
How You Can Help Make Divorce Easier on Your Children
Your children need you to fill in the gaps and make them feel better about the new issues they’re facing during your divorce. You can make things easier on them if you:
- Stay involved in their lives. Make sure you’re calling, texting, emailing and talking whenever you can.
- Let your kids talk to you about how they’re feeling, and be supportive – don’t interject your own emotions or tell them that the way they feel is wrong or bad.
- Avoid fighting with your ex when they’re around, and don’t let them see the emotional fallout after a fight or disagreement. Keep that to yourself.
- Tell the truth. Your kids deserve age-appropriate answers about what’s going on (minus the sordid details).
- Support their emotional needs and don’t try to come between your children and their other parent.
- Communicate with each other rather than using your children as messengers.
- Try to say nice things about your kids’ other parent, or don’t say anything at all. Remember, your children love both of you – and the last thing they want is to feel like they need to take sides.
- Tell your kids you love them, no matter what.
It’s not easy – any Milwaukee divorce lawyer can tell you that – but these are things your children need from you during divorce.
Do You Need to Talk to an Attorney About Divorce?
If you’re a parent thinking about divorce, or if your spouse has already filed papers, we can help. We’ll answer your questions about child custody, child support, spousal support and property division, as well as any other questions you have about your situation.
Call us at 414-383-6700 for a free divorce case review. You’ll talk to a compassionate, understanding and caring divorce attorney who will listen to your needs and develop a plan that gets your family the best possible outcome.
