Even if you and your spouse agree that divorce is in everyone’s best interests, dissolving a marriage is often an emotional and confusing process. In addition to figuring out the intricacies of family law, parents also have to explain the situation to their children. Although your child will need time to fully understand what is happening and what it will mean for their future, your approach to this difficult conversation can help them process this news much more easily.

3 Tips for Telling Your Child About Divorce

1. Do it Together

No matter what condition your relationship with your spouse is currently in, it’s important that you talk to your child about the divorce together. This will help present a unified front and reassure your child that they will not be losing a parent. If only one parent is present, the child may naturally blame the other, regardless of what that parent might say.

2. Give Reasons for the Divorce

In the absence of other information, young children tend to blame themselves for their parents’ divorce. To put their minds at ease, reassure them that it isn’t their fault. Prepare an age-appropriate explanation for why your marriage is no longer working. However, regardless of how angry you and your spouse might be with one another, it’s important not to cast blame or fight in front of your child.

3. Have Answers to Their Questions

Upon hearing that you plan to divorce, your child will likely want to know what will happen next and where they will live. Even if you and your spouse are still negotiating issues with your family law attorneys, agree on a temporary plan. Being able to provide solid answers to your child’s questions will alleviate some of the anxiety they’ll almost certainly feel.

If you’re going through a divorce, a family law attorney can guide you through the process, explain the system, and work to achieve what’s best for you and your family. For over 45 years, Hackworth, Ferguson & Thompson in Piedmont, MO, has helped clients throughout southeast Missouri navigate one of the most difficult experiences of their lives. Visit their website for more on their family law and other services, follow them on Facebook for additional legal insight, or call (573) 223-4247 to schedule your consultation today.