Tips for Talking to Children About Divorce | Allan Brandon Tise PLLC, Attorney at Law
March 14, 2018
This is a subtitle for your new post
Divorce is often a difficult experience for adults and can have a significant impact on children. If you're a parent considering divorce, you'll need to determine how to discuss the situation with your kids. The most important factor is to make your conversation age appropriate and to put your child's best interest at the forefront. Here are some tips every parent can use to start communicating with their children about an impending divorce.
Here are a few ways on how to successfully navigate your way through this otherwise unpredictable conversation.
Make it Age-Appropriate
The conversation you would have with young children differs from how you would choose to break the news to teenagers. Consider what is age-appropriate for your child. Children have different levels of understanding depending on their age.
For example, for children who are young, you may want to utilize a children's education book on divorce. These books typically contain vivid imagery and colorful photos to help children make sense of what is happening. These books paint a very reassuring picture that everything will be okay, even though their life will be different in certain ways, such as living in two homes.
Keep it Simple
Whether your children are six-years-old or 16, it's important to keep the information simple. Children don't yet have the cognitive skills to understand the complexities of divorce. It may help to write out the conversation you intend to have with your children. Then go through what you've written and find ways to simplify your wording.
It's a good idea to focus on common themes, such as:
- Both parents will be happier
- Both parents will still love them
- Both parents will be an important part of their life
Be Honest
Disguising the truth is tempting. However, in the long run, children are often much better able to adjust when they receive honest information about divorce. Parents should aim to honesty when questions are asked.
For example, if there was an extra-marital affair, there is no need to go into the specifics, but it may be appropriate to acknowledge it if your children ask about it, rather than hiding it.
Respect Fears and Worries
Once a child hears their parents are getting a divorce, they have every right to be worried and afraid. In fact, they will likely start their own custom list of worries such as:
- Whether or not they will be kept safe
- Whether or not the divorce was their fault
- Whether or not they can do something to keep the family together
- Whether or not they will have to move far away
- Whether or not they have to change schools
- Whether or not there will be enough money
A good approach is to acknowledge your child's fears and reassure them that everything will be okay.
Make Time
It's important to make time for your child to ask questions and receive answers at their leisure. After talking to your children about the impending divorce, they may come to you at a later time with additional questions. Things may come up, and they may need to have additional conversations and receive additional reassurance.
Parents shouldn't assume that after talking to their children about the divorce, that they won't have to bring it up again. Therefore it's important to carve out time for additional talks. It's also a good idea to check in with your children from time-to-time after speaking with them, to find out if they have additional questions or concerns.
Discussing divorce with children is often difficult and filled with emotions. However, it's necessary for the betterment of everyone involved.
If you're considering divorce, contact our experienced attorneys at Allan Brandon Tise, PLLC
.
Allan Brandon Tise, PLLC, offers expert child custody law services in Wilmington, NC. Protect your parental rights today; call us at (910) 251-9614.
Struggling with child custody law in Wilmington, NC? Learn your rights and how a child custody attorney can help. Contact us today at (910) 251-9614!
Looking for a dedicated Child Custody Attorney in Wilmington, NC? Allan Brandon Tise PLLC provides expert family law services to protect your rights.
Are you wondering if separation or divorce is the right path for you? Learn more about these options so you can make the best decision for your situation.
Allan Brandon Tise is your trusted child custody attorney serving those undergoing or beginning a child custody battle in Wrightsville Beach, NC. Call now.
This blog discusses six subtle signs you should look out for to protect your emotional well-being and seek necessary legal help for divorce. Read on.
Take a look at what you need to know about primary legal custody in North Carolina and some of the top reasons why a parent might want to go this route.
Alimony provides financial assistance to the lower-earning spouse to help them maintain their standard of living. Explore the various types of alimony.
When courts determine custody of children, they examine many factors. Read about the factors determining child custody in this blog.
Alimony negotiation is one of the toughest parts of divorce proceedings. As the supporting spouse in alimony negotiations, you may have difficulty accepting that you must support your spouse financially, in the future, even though you are no longer married. If you are not careful, the mental and emotional pressure of alimony negotiations may lead you to make mistakes that affect your financial future. To help you avoid jeopardizing your finances, read on to learn about four mistakes you should avoid during alimony negotiations.
