Your divorce decisions will have an enormous effect on your child’s life. Finding the right way to tell them can be challenging. Avoid putting it off too long. They have a right to know their world is about to change.
Telling your children about divorce will never be easy
Here are some things to consider when explaining your divorce to your kids:
- Every child is different: What works for one child might not work for another. Age can be a factor. If the last time your teenage son emerged from his room was to ask what happened to the internet, discovering his true feelings may be challenging. By contrast, your 5-year-old may bombard you with questions you had not considered.
- Make clear it is no one’s fault: You might feel the breakdown of your marriage is your spouse’s fault. However, your child does not need to hear that. Be clear that you are not getting divorced because of your child. Many feel it is their fault. As absurd as that may seem to you, it can be a real worry to them.
- Keep them informed: They need to understand how changes will affect them. They do not need all the details. Consider talking to them about custody plans, especially if they are older. They may not want to spend every weekend at their dads if it means they do not get to spend time with friends.
You may not know how everything will work out yourself. An attorney can help you understand more about divorce laws. The better informed you are, the better you can envisage your new future and explain it to your children.