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Helping Children and Teens Dealing with Divorce

Do:

  • Work together with other parent to set a parenting plan that works for your child.
  • Encourage a healthy relationship with the other parent. Help them to be ready on-time with all necessary supplies.
  • Share basic information about how things will change and the impact on them. Be honest, direct and simple.
  • Present the divorce to the child together, if possible.
  • Assure your child that he is not to blame for the divorce and they can’t fix it.
  • Allow time to adjust to family change.
  • Be consistent with discipline. Children need limits, boundaries and consequences.
  • Reassure child that you are both committed to parenting and loving him.
  • Expect for transitions to be a time of adjustment and possibly behavioral issues.
  • Speak courteously about the other parent.
  • Support your child emotionally, physically and financially.
  • Set a weekly schedule that promotes routine, stability and flexibility.
  • Listen and address your child’s fears and concerns.
  • Offer counseling as an opportunity for the child to explore their feelings and help them with transitions.
  • Ask for help if you need it-the better you adjust, the better your child will adjust.
Don’t:
  • Speak unkindly about other parent. The child loves both of you and doesn’t want to take sides.
  • Share parental concerns with child (loneliness, financial concerns, relationship issues, cause of divorce)
  • Encourage child to side with one parent against the other.
  • Argue with the other parent in front of the child.
  • Buy your child rewards out of guilt, instead, commit to spending time and take an interest in him.