If you’re a parent who’s getting divorced in Wisconsin, including Milwaukee or Waukesha, or any of the surrounding communities, you’ve probably already thought about breaking the news to your children.
But what’s the best way to do it?
How to Tell Your Kids You’re Getting a Divorce: What Psychologists Say
There’s no perfect way to tell your children you’re getting divorced, but one thing is for sure: You’ll have to break the news sooner rather than later.
“This is a conversation that children will remember for the rest of their lives,” says Helping Your Kids Cope With Divorce author M. Gary Neuman. You have to be careful about the way you present it—and according to psychologists, it’s best to do it together, as a team.
“This is not the time for accusations or bitterness. This isn’t about you; it’s about your children’s emotional well-being,” says Judith Ruskay Rabinor, Ph.D. You and your soon-to-be ex should come together to tell your children to inspire their confidence that you’ll both work together as a team when it comes to parenting.
You’ll also need to plan out what you’re going to say, because this isn’t something you can just “wing” and hope for the best. You and your spouse can cover a lot of ground together, but you must make sure that you reassure your kids you’ll love them no matter what.
Your kids will probably have plenty of questions, including how the divorce will affect them—so be prepared to answer them as best (and as honestly, without sharing the gory details) as you can.
Do You Need to Talk to a Wisconsin Divorce Lawyer?
If you’re thinking about divorce, it may be in your best interest to talk to a Wisconsin divorce lawyer who understands what you’re going through and who can help you get the best possible outcome.
Call us at 414-383-6700 for a free divorce consultation. We’ll evaluate your situation and begin developing a strategy that gets you the best possible outcome.
