Even more so than their parents, kids feel the stress and confusion of separation and divorce. Many kids feel angry, sad and frustrated about the prospect of their parents splitting up for good and are uncertain about what life will be like after divorce. They are often worried it is their fault. They are often worried that they are going to have to choose between their parents.
It is the parents’ responsibility to communicate successfully with your child, meet their needs, for safety and support, take care of yourself, maintain a civil relationship with your ex will (if at all possible) and remember that your child is picking up on all of your social and emotional cues.
Given the right support, your child will be able express their feelings, grieve their loss, and emerge from this unsettling time a stronger more resilient person.
Written by Val Hemminger
