5 Ways to Make Divorce Less Stressful for Your Kids

Divorce is stressful for both adults and children. However, unlike adults, children have little control over their circumstances. Yet the decisions made in divorce proceedings can affect where a child lives, where they attend school, and the extracurricular activities they’re involved in. All of this makes divorce incredibly stressful for children.

How to Support Your Child Through Your Divorce

Although your child can’t affect your divorce in any meaningful way, there are things you can do as a parent to reduce the stress and disruption they experience. The following steps are a good place to start.

1. Be Honest (and Age-Appropriate)

Don’t hide the fact that you and your ex are divorcing. Instead, talk to your child using age-appropriate language to ensure they understand what’s happening and how it might affect them. Doing so will help them manage their expectations.

2. Don’t Air Your Grievances in Front of Them

Resist the urge to blame the other parent or complain about your divorce in front of your child. Some children respond to their parents’ stress and frustration by internalizing it. Others may feel pressured to choose sides and support either you or your ex.

No matter how your child reacts to being put in this position, they’ll undoubtedly feel needless anxiety because of it.

3. Keep Their Routine as Consistent as Possible

During and after the divorce, make as few changes to your child’s daily routine as possible. Children can quickly become frustrated by even minor modifications to their schedules. When you have no choice but to make a change, do your best to reestablish a new routine swiftly.

4. Encourage Them to Maintain Regular Contact With Your Ex

Barring any court orders to the contrary, you and your former spouse should have regular and frequent opportunities to spend time with your child.

This includes letting your ex know about school events or other activities they might want to participate in. Having both parents support them in their school or extracurricular activities can remind your child that they’re loved.

If you’re the custodial parent, you should balance this suggestion against the risk of harm your former spouse might present. For example, if your ex has abused you or your child, you shouldn’t take any action that could subject either of you to further abuse.

5. Let Them Express Themselves

Finally, encourage your child to share their feelings with you or another adult they trust. Let them know they’re entitled to their feelings, and discuss those feelings with them without judgment. Children can become upset when they don’t feel heard or like someone cares about their experiences.

Working With a Divorce Lawyer Can Reduce Your Family’s Stress

Having an experienced Michigan divorce lawyer from Gucciardo Family Law guide you through the divorce process can make things easier for you and your children. Our team focuses on resolving divorce and other family law matters professionally and expeditiously so our clients and their loved ones can move forward confidently.

Contact us today to schedule your initial consultation.