While hiring a divorce lawyer can make it a little easier to dissolve your marriage, it’s still a very emotional and painful experience. This is especially true for any minor children involved in the process, so it’s important to take the time to discuss the divorce with them. They will be afraid of losing their relationships with each parent, so it’s important to try to alleviate those concerns.

How Can You Talk About Divorce With Your Kids?

Hold a Family Meeting

Since you have children together, this will not be the only time you and your spouse will have to set aside your differences to communicate civilly. It may also be one of the most important family meetings you do have, so you should plan the discussion together. It’s important to present a united front, so your children will see that you will still both be there for them. Try to explain to your kids that, even though you and your spouse are going to be apart, you will both still be their parents.

Encourage Questions

This shouldn’t be a one-sided discussion in which you simply inform your children that you’re getting divorced. Especially for young children, questions should be encouraged. Your children will have fears and concerns that need to be addressed. Just as you have legal questions for your divorce lawyer, your children will have questions about how the family dynamic is changing.  It’s important to show them that neither parent is abandoning them.

Prepare for the Emotional Fallout

Following your formal conversation, you should expect your children to be shaken by the news. In fact, you should expect and encourage additional conversations regularly throughout the divorce. They may have nightmares or exhibit behavioral changes during this time. While counseling may help, they will also need your attention and understanding. Even though your time will be dominated by meetings with your attorney and with court appearances, try to make time for your children. Keep in mind that your their emotional states will be as chaotic as your own.

Ray T. Kennington, Attorney At Law has been serving clients in the Dale, AL, area for over 37 years. Hiring a divorce lawyer with years of experience will help ensure you reach a fair settlement. While no divorce lawyer can guarantee a specific outcome,  Ray T. Kennington, Attorney At Law will work hard to obtain the best possible outcome in your case. To learn more about their law firm, visit their website, or call (334) 445-1200 to schedule an initial consultation.