Telling your children about your upcoming divorce can be a tough conversation. As the lawyers at Arndt Buswell & Thorn S.C. in Sparta, WI, explain, there’s no easy way to break the news, but there are a few ways to soften the blow. Here, their divorce attorneys discuss how to tell your children about your separation.

Tips for Talking About Divorce

Plan Ahead

If at all possible, sit down with your soon-to-be-ex and strategize how to communicate the divorce to your children. Though tensions may be high, having this conversation ahead of time will help shield your children from a nasty argument.

Tell the Children Together

When informing your children of the divorce, it’s important to present a unified front. This sends the message that both parents are invested in their children’s well-being and will work together despite the impending divorce. Telling the children without the other parent present may create resentment and confusion.

Listen

Your children are going to have questions and opinions about your divorce. Allow each kid the opportunity to speak, and field any questions as best you can. They may feel as though the rug is being pulled out from under them, so it’s essential they’re afforded a voice and platform during this difficult time.

Be Honest

While you needn’t discuss every sordid detail, it’s essential to be as honest as possible when explaining the reasons behind the divorce. Kids are highly perceptive and will know if something’s amiss. That being said, you should avoid blaming your spouse while providing your children with an objective account of the situation.

Offer Reassurance

It is imperative that your children understand the separation is not a reflection on them. Convey your love while stressing that the divorce is far removed from their control. In other words, there is no way they could have caused or prevented the dissolution.

Whether you require the help of a divorce attorney, personal injury lawyer, or estate planning expert, Arndt Buswell & Thorn S.C. is the law firm to call. Backed by over 25 years of legal experience, you can depend on their seasoned attorneys for compassionate, professional, and personalized legal counsel. Visit their family law office online, and call (608) 269-1200 for Sparta or (608) 486-2324 for Bangor, WI, to speak with a divorce attorney directly.