Divorce is much more challenging when children are involved. It seems like there are no good ways to broach the subject or prepare for their reaction to the news. This short guide can help you, and your soon-to-be-ex explain your divorce to your child.
Make it a Team Effort
You and your ex will need to co-parent once the divorce is finalized, so it is important that you approach this difficult task as a team. When you tell your children that you are getting a divorce, it is important that both of you be there to support them.
Choose an Appropriate Time
Timing can be critical when talking to your children about divorce. You do not want to bring up such a delicate subject right before they have to be somewhere else, like school. The ideal time to bring up divorce is on a Friday night. This way, you have the whole weekend to answer any questions they may have and to comfort them. Your kids will have many questions regarding custody and living situations.
Choose the Right Words
Divorce is a tricky subject with children, so you want to be sure that you are saying the right things. The three most important things to emphasize are:
- This is not your fault. It’s important that your children know that the decision to divorce was between you and your spouse and that they did nothing to cause this. It’s vital that no one place blame in this situation.
- It’s okay to be sad. Your kids need to know that it is okay and normal to feel a wide range of emotions when confronted with their parents’ divorce. Let them know that they can talk to you about their feelings no matter what.
- We are still a family. Your family dynamic may be changing, but you are still a family. Make sure your kids know that they will still have both parents after the divorce is finalized.
If you are searching for a family law attorney in St Charles, MO, contact Featherston Lecour today by calling (636) 685-0440. We serve clients in St. Charles, St Peters, O’Fallon, St. Louis, and the surrounding communities.