5 Tips for Supporting Your Child in School After a Divorce

Children are known for always asking questions. They are naturally curious. While this is a positive trait, it can be difficult for children when their parents divorce.

For instance, a child’s friends may ask questions about the changes in their family. This can be challenging, especially for younger children, who may not have the words to explain what’s going on.

Some children feel embarrassed following their parents’ divorce. Others are angry or frustrated. This problem is exacerbated by the fact that children may not understand why they have the emotions that they do.

No matter how your children are processing the rearrangement of their family, they need your support. In the following article, we will discuss five useful tips to support your child in school after your divorce.

1. Decrease Their Social Embarrassment

Many children feel embarrassed about their parents’ divorces. It is crucial to communicate with your children that divorce is not a shameful event.

Talk with your children about the fact that divorces are very common. Many relationships and marriages end in divorce, even ones that appear to be healthy from the outside.

Your children will likely have friends with divorced or separated parents. It can help children to understand that their experience is completely normal.

2. Define Social Boundaries

When your child’s friends ask personal questions, it may result in significant discomfort for the child. Discussing emotional boundaries with them may help.

Even if their friends do not have bad intentions, your child is not obliged to talk about anything that makes them uncomfortable. Let your child know that they can politely refuse to answer any questions about their private family life.

In some cases, your child’s friends may be asking inappropriate questions. Children can also be pushy or rude to their friends. If this happens, you may need to speak with a teacher or counselor at your child’s school. Childcare professionals often have experience in dealing with these types of situations and can provide helpful insights.

3. Set Up an Extracurricular Plan

If your child is involved in extracurricular activities, they may be concerned about the changes that a divorce may bring. If both parents have previously attended baseball games, spelling bees, track meets, or awards rallies, they may be worried that parents will no longer be there to support them.

Talk with your ex-spouse to create a plan to support your child’s activities. If the divorce is fairly amicable, you may be able to reassure your child that each parent will still be present to cheer them on.

If a divorce is more contentious, consider developing a plan to alternate attendance at school events and extracurricular activities.

4. Seek Emotional Support Through the School

Your child will probably experience a wide range of emotions in response to your divorce. It is impossible to predict your child’s feelings day by day.

Because of this, it is crucial to ensure that your child has the support that they need at school. When you are not available, your child’s teachers and caretakers can help.

Schedule a meeting with your child’s teachers or school counselors to discuss the types of support they can provide. This may also help their teachers to be prepared in case your child lashes out or exhibits emotional outbursts at school as they try to process their feelings about the divorce.

5. Be Ready to Respond to Other Children

You cannot and should not stop your child from talking with their friends about the divorce. However, it is important to be prepared for other children’s responses.

Other kids may make harmful statements, be mean, or make fun of what they do not understand, especially in a school setting. Be prepared for any of these negative reactions and help your child to know that they can come to you or another trusted adult to talk things through.

Returning to school can be scary for children whose parents have gone through a divorce. With these five tips, you can help ensure a smoother transition for your child.