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How to tell your children about your divorce

On Behalf of | Jun 1, 2018 | Firm News |

Navigating your divorce comes with a lot of challenges. One of those is how to tell your children about what is happening.

Your children are an important part of your life and you do not want the news of a divorce to affect them too much. Telling them is a delicate process that requires a lot of thought and care.

Here are a few tips to help you break the news in the best way you can.

  • Make sure the circumstances are as good as they can be.

Break the news to your children in a comfortable environment. Do not spring this announcement on them out of nowhere. It helps to tell them in a place where they feel safe.

  • Tell the whole family at the same time.

Be sure to tell your children all at once. It will not help your situation if one child knows before the other. Your children should hear the news from you, so you do not want another one of your kids telling the others before they are ready. It is also not fair to ask one child to keep the secret of your divorce from their siblings. It is best to tell your children at the same time. Then, you can discuss the process as a family, too.

  • Make sure your children feel comfortable with their emotions.

After you tell your children, it might be hard to gauge their reaction. Do not make any assumptions about how they are feeling or what they are thinking. Let them recognize their feelings and thoughts on their own.

  • Support your children after the fact.

Though you do not want to assume what your child is feeling, you should still support them in whatever comes of their emotions. Be sure you tell them you are there for them and will continue to support them during and after the divorce. Be available to answer their questions and answer them honestly. If your child feels confident they have your support, it will help them in the long run.

The divorce process is confusing and complicated in many ways. Both parents and children will have to adjust but you want to make sure your children are not impacted too negatively. Breaking the news to them in a safe and healthy way is a good step in the right direction.

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