Photo: Yuriarcurs | Canva
How to keep your kids emotionally safe during your difficult divorce.
By Azmaira Maker
Last updated on Feb 26, 2024
Approximately 40-50% of couples end up in divorce in the United States, according to the Washington Post. Approximately 1.5 million children are affected by divorce each year, says Scientific American. Research has demonstrated that divorce can contribute to significant consequences in children, including anger, depression, anxiety, school and social difficulties, and even changes in long-term attitudes towards marriage and divorce. Simultaneously, research also suggests that many children cope, adapt, and fare well after a divorce.
Hence, divorcing parents frequently ask, "What should we say to our children? How do we help our children cope with the divorce?" Parents wonder if there are any buffers to minimize the potentially debilitating effects of divorce. Though children are unique, as are family situations, there are some solid guidelines to follow. Barring any trauma or other ongoing stressors, counselors often recommend the following to facilitate children’s adaptation to divorce.
Here are 10 golden rules to protect your kids from a messy divorce tug-o-war:
1. Do not play the blame game
Avoid blaming the other when you explain the divorce. Although there are varying circumstances surrounding divorce, ideally, it is better if the child is not exposed to ‘whose fault it is.’ Children need to continue to love each parent in unblemished and unconditional ways. If parents begin to assign blame on one parent, the child is likely to feel more anger and resentment toward that parent. Parents should use neutral and non-judgmental language. Use words like "changed," "disagreement," and "arguing." Although this is simplistic language, we need to gear our explanations in developmentally appropriate ways. More importantly, we need to avoid damaging the child’s relationship with the other parent by keeping it as neutral as possible.
2. Do not put down the other parent
Parents should avoid labeling the other in negative terms regarding characteristics, personality, and parenting. No matter how angry adults may be at each other, the child shouldn't witness anger and negativity. Even if one parent has chosen to end the marriage, it is important the other shows respect for that choice to the child, and not assign blame and abandonment to the other parent. Again, children need to continue to idealize and stay connected to each parent. Cognitively and emotionally, it is hard for children to do this if a parent is barraging the child with negative information about the other parent.
3. Be fair to the other parent
When two reasonable and competent parents are involved in a divorce, we ask each parent to be fair regarding schedules, holidays, birthdays, etc. Fairness also includes financial, health, and school decisions. The more you treat each other with fairness and respect (which the child will immediately know and feel), the better the outcomes for the child.
4. Be consistent and predictable
Divorce can be an enormous transition for children. Sometimes they have to move homes, schools, friends, and even states. Their world can suddenly begin to feel unstable and unknown, which can cause anxiety. Financial pressure can also change parents’ availability and presence for the child. The greater the consistency and predictability in terms of home, schools, friendships, etc., the more secure the child is likely to feel.
5. Know the unique developmental needs of your child
Each child is unique. Based on age and developmental issues, each child within the family has their own developmental track, cognitive functioning, and emotional capacity. Parents need to be cognizant of each child’s developmental stage and his/her needs. Ideally, parents should be flexible when it comes to planning the transition from the divorce and the new living situation based on each child’s developmental capacity.
6. Watch your language
Use language and words that are child-friendly and developmentally appropriate. It is sometimes hard for adults to find words that clearly explain a big topic like divorce. Adults should emphasize simplicity, empathy, play, and validation in their conversations. Storytelling is an excellent way for adults to explore difficult feelings and questions with young children.
7. Be cooperative with the other parent
When parents continue to present, engage, and cooperatively co-parent the child during and after the divorce, the child fares better. Conflict, disagreements, and ‘stuckness’ between the parents regarding the child’s schedules, finances, schools, and living situation should be resolved quickly and permanently for the child to adapt to the divorce. Research demonstrates that chronic, high-conflict divorces typically have the hardest impact on the child.
8. Use small, developmentally appropriate sound bytes
Divorcing parents often ask, "How much should I share with my child?" Oftentimes, adults believe that if they have one or two ‘sit down, long talks’ with a child, the child will understand the issue. However, children process in bits and pieces — on the move, in and out of play, and in unpredictable moments.
Share the facts in small bytes, and don’t overwhelm the child with too much information. Adults should create, expect, and respond to ongoing dialogues throughout the transition. Allow the child to immerse in play, fantasy, and imagination to work through their questions and feelings over time.
9. Be honest and transparent
Professionals usually encourage parents to be honest and use the words ‘separate’ and ‘divorce’ (once the decision has been made). If you don’t use those words and don’t explain what they mean, children are more likely to be confused and anxious — as their imaginations are more powerful than the truth. Details about the divorce should only be shared in an age-appropriate way and if necessary. Consulting with professionals about how much to share could be beneficial.
10. Validate all their feelings
Don’t be afraid to process and validate feelings — even negative ones. Be confident in facilitating a range of feelings with the child. Adults should encourage and validate the child’s expressions via stories, drawings, letters, play, and conversations. Bottling it up or denying it does not help. However, be sure to also provide reassurance and hope, as this is important to communicate to the child. Although divorce may not be easy for children to process or adapt to, following the above guidelines can help enormously in ensuring your children will continue to thrive during and after this significant life change.
More for You:
Dr. Azmaira Maker is a licensed clinical psychologist with over twenty-five years of expertise, and the founder of Aspiring Families, a premier mental health and wellness center in San Diego.