If your marriage is ending, you do need to take steps to protect your children. You won’t be able to shield them from everything that’s happening, but you do have an opportunity to guide them through a major change in their lives.
There are several things you can do to make divorce easier for your children to understand and get through. Some include talking to them about the divorce, involving the other parent in those conversations and looking for peaceful solutions. Here is more about these ideas and others.
Talking about the divorce with your children
The first thing that any parent needs to do is to talk about the divorce. Explain to your children, in an age-appropriate way, what’s happening and why their parents are no longer going to live together or be in a relationship. Stick to the facts, and try to have this talk when everyone feels calm and collected.
It’s a good idea to involve the other parent in these conversations, so that you both show a combined front during the change. Be supportive, and show your children that you can work together despite wanting to be apart.
Keeping a routine
The next thing to do to help your children is to keep a routine that they can rely on. Whether that means keeping a stable custody schedule or the same routine at night regardless of which household they’re in, focus on making the transition easier with set expectations and routine.
Looking for an attorney
Finally, you should be looking for an attorney who is willing to work with you to find resolutions to problems without going to court. There are many alternative dispute resolution options that may help you avoid court altogether, which could help reduce stress and anxiety in both of your households.
ADR is an excellent way to keep your divorce peaceful and to have a better outcome that both parties agree with.
Your attorney can talk to you more about ADR and other tips to help your children adjust to the idea of a divorce. Talking to them, keeping a routine and finding a supportive attorney are three great ways to get started.
