How to Help Your Children During the Divorce Process

Monday, August 20th, 2018
Categories: Blog, Filing for Divorce, Legal Separation

When parents in Los Angeles decide to get divorced, the process of dissolving the marriage can be especially difficult for children. A Los Angeles divorce lawyer will tell you that sometimes kids mistakenly believe that they played a role in causing the divorce, while other children and teens simply have trouble coping with the fact that their parents will not be living together any longer or that they will need to spend time at two different homes in order to maintain relationships with both parents. The way a child responds to the divorce process is dependent upon many different factors, such as the child’s age and his or her current relationship with parents and siblings.

We have collated a variety of tips for parents from KidsHealth, Parents Magazine, and Psychology Today to provide you with information to help your children during the divorce process.

Telling Your Children You Are Getting Divorced

Often one of the most difficult aspects of divorce for children and parents in LA alike is simply breaking the initial news about the divorce. In many families, children are not expecting their parents to get divorced, and the news can come as a shock. Here are some tips for telling your children about the divorce:

• Both parents should sit down with the children together to have a conversation about the divorce;
• Parents should emphasize to the children, regardless of their age, that the divorce is not their fault;
• Parents can provide kids with information about the divorce process so that they can feel that they have some control over the circumstances, such as information about how the parents plan to share time with them and how their daily routines are likely to change;
• Parents should underscore how much they love the children without attempting to sugarcoat the divorce situation; and
• Parents should encourage their kids to communicate with them about their feelings throughout and after the divorce process.

Helping Your Child Cope During the Divorce Proceedings

Even the friendliest LA divorces can result in matters of contention and anxiety. When spouses who are getting divorced argue about property, financial matters, or child custody issues, the kids often feel some of that anxiety as well. The following are some tips for helping your child during and after the divorce proceedings:

• Parents should work with a family therapist who can meet with the children individually and can help the children to cope with emotions they are experiencing during the divorce;
• Recognize that children can react in unexpected ways, both physically and psychologically during a divorce, and it is important to keep lines of communication open and to encourage the children to voice their opinions and emotions;
• Parents should be flexible when it comes to custody and parenting time, recognizing that certain setups simply might not work for the child, and the parents should be willing to alter schedules if it can help the child to cope;
• Parents should avoid arguing in front of their children or badmouthing one another to their children during and after the divorce; and
• Parents should take care to cope with their own stress, recognizing that their anxieties can affect the kids.

Get In Touch with a Los Angeles Divorce Lawyer

Navigating a divorce with children can be complicated. Parents often are concerned about how to help their children during the divorce process, and there are many different steps that parents can take to make this process easier for kids, from the initial phases of breaking the news of the divorce to helping the child cope with difficult feelings once the divorce has been finalized. If you are considering divorce and want to learn more about how a divorce lawyer can help you with every stage of the process, you should speak with a Los Angeles divorce attorney as soon as you can. Contact the Law Offices of Evan Braunstein for more information.