Deciding to walk away from your marriage is never easy and children in particular tend to take it especially hard. As a parent you want to make the divorce as easy on your child as you can. But how?
Here are some tips on how to protect your kid in a divorce.
Don’t bad-mouth the other parent
Some believe that this goes without saying but you’d be surprised at how many parents don’t follow this golden rule. When going through a divorce many parents feel the need to vent and express their disdain for their ex – even to their children.
But beware of falling into this trap no matter how tempting it may be. Bad-mouthing the other parent can leave your child confused and fearful. At the end of the day you want to be a role model for your child and speaking negatively of your ex could leave them feeling resentful and angry.
Be fair when it comes to co-parenting
Sharing custody means sharing the decision-making. You may have to sacrifice more than you’re comfortable with to benefit your child such as holidays and birthdays. Other events that you will want to take care in scheduling can be meetings with your child’s teacher or medical appointments.
Reassure your child that you are there for them
Divorce can leave many children feeling a wide array of emotions from sadness to anger. By maintaining an ongoing dialogue with your child you can help them talk through their emotions. You want your child to know that your love for them hasn’t changed just because their parents are no longer together. At the end of the day you want to reassure your child that they are supported and safe.
Working in unison with your child’s other parent can be incredibly beneficial for your entire family. Your kid may need time to adjust to the life change but by following these tips you can help to protect them from the divorce.
