Tips To Help Children Cope With Parent's Divorce

Children are often rightly described as the innocent victims of divorce. There is much that parents can do to help their children cope with a situation that is not of their making, but unfortunately, at such an emotionally charged time, they may often not be feeling in the right frame of mind to discuss the situation as fully, frankly and objectively as they would wish, The children’s age is obviously an important factor, but the following basic pointers are useful working guidelines.

• Make sure that your children realize that they are in no way responsible for what has happened to their parents. This is such an obvious point that it can tend to be overlooked sometimes, with the result that children may build up stress based on guilt, silently feeling that they must be in some way to blame if their parents do not want to live together any more.

• Avoid making hostile remarks about your partner, as these will confuse children further.

• Be as specific as you can about access arrangements, once these are finalized, so that the children know exactly where they stand.

• To minimize stressful uncertainty, make sure that all arrangements for collecting children, taking them out, or having them to stay, are strictly adhered to.

• The National Family Conciliation Council exists to help divorcing and separated couples resolve problems and conflicts, especially those concerning their children, and it is well worth bearing this and other such organizations in mind if you run into difficulties.

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