A divorce is a difficult time for everyone in your family, and the children may be especially affected. During this time, both parents should focus on their children’s well-being and get them counseling services if they need it. The psychologist at Feinberg & Associates in Lexington, KY, has outlined a few of the most common signs that a child is struggling to cope with a divorce.

Signs a Child Needs Post-Divorce Counseling Services

1. Sleeping Habit Changes

Depression and anxiety, which are common after going through a parents’ divorce, can affect your child’s sleeping habits. This could be too much sleeping, like if they are spending most of their day in bed. They may also be suffering from insomnia, which you may notice if they look tired throughout the day, are becoming more irritable, or if they are often up when the rest of the family is asleep.

2. Isolation

Internalizing children may withdraw into themselves as they struggle with their feelings. They may stop spending time with their friends or participating in their normal activities. They might stop communicating with you and be unwilling to talk about how they’re feeling.

3. Deteriorating School Performance

Some children stop focusing on their schoolwork, so they will stop participating in class or completing their homework. Inform your child’s teachers about the divorce. This may help them be more lenient with your child’s behavior, and they may be able to tell you if they’re concerned about changes in the child’s performance. Keep tabs on grades and go to all parent-teacher conferences so you’ll be aware of any issues as soon as possible.

4. Difficulty Eating

Depression and anxiety can have physical effects on your child’s body, which can include difficulty eating. Eat meals together so you can monitor whether they are continuing their normal diet. Extreme weight changes can become dangerous, so this is something you’ll want to address with your family doctor and mental health services right away.

5. Acting Out

Look for changes in your child’s behavior that could indicate a lot of anger or other acting out. This could include getting into fights, being suspended from school, or stealing. Their core friend group may change as well.

David Feinberg, Ph.D., at Feinberg & Associates has more than 25 years of experience in counseling services. His team provides compassionate services for people of all ages, and they have helped a lot of children move forward through a divorce. They also offer parental coordination services for better co-parenting efforts after your divorce, from dealing with drop-offs to planning schedules. Contact them online or at (859) 233-3390 to schedule an appointment.