How to tell your Kids about Divorce

 Posted on July 22, 2013 in Divorce

Breaking the news of your divorce to your children is not an easy thing to do. Chances are that they know someone whose parents have gone through a divorce, but they may have thought that this could never happen to their own family. Children will often be afraid that they will not have both of their parents in their lives anymore or that they will not be well taken care of. There are a few things that you need to be mindful of to make it a bit easier on the children. Know what you are going to say There are many times as a parent that you just wing it when responding to hard questions. This is not an appropriate time to make up responses as you go. You and your spouse need to know and agree on what you are going to say to your children. Do not throw the blame on the other parent. Even if the divorce is not mutually agreed, you have to keep your kids in mind when breaking the difficult news. You don’t have to go into the specifics of why the divorce is happening because they do not need to be privy to the more adult details. Make sure that you talk to the children together. Reassure them that you both love them very much and that will not change. Explain to them what will happen next as far as one parent leaving the home etc. After you break the News This is going to be very emotional for your kids. They may feel as if their worlds are crumbling and they may feel like they are losing a parent. Take special care to not fight in front of your children or say bad things about the other parent, even if you don’t think that the children can hear you. Try to keep your emotions in check while you are around your children because that may make them feel even more insecure about their futures. When it comes to a child custody agreement, you will need to consult with an experienced Illinois divorce attorney that will have the best interest of you and your children in mind.