No child wants to learn that his or her parents are ending their marriage. As divorce lawyers often remind hesitant clients, though, living in two happy homes is far better than living in one unhappy household. However, adjusting to the new dynamic is still going to pose a few challenges along the way. Thankfully, there are ways parents can ease the transition for their kids.

3 Strategies for Helping Your Children Adjust to Life After Divorce

1. Be Honest With Them

It may be tempting to sugarcoat things when talking to your kids about the divorce.  But doing so will only set them up for disappointment later, which can actually be more traumatic.  While it’s important to answer their questions in an age-appropriate way, it’s essential that you do so as honestly as possible. 

Honesty does not mean making disparaging or negative comments about your spouse to or in the presence of the children.   Neither you nor your spouse are divorcing the children, and the children are not parties to the divorce action.   As such, most of the details of the divorce should not be discussed with your children or in their presence.  Remember that both of you love your children, and they were not the cause of the breakdown of your marriage

2. Avoid Arguing in Front of Them

Generally speaking, it’s wise to avoid any direct contact with your spouse once you file. Since you share children, though, it may be impossible to go through your divorce lawyer for everything. When you must see or talk to the other party, try to remain civil, especially if the kids are around. Otherwise, they will feel as though they have to choose sides, which will only add unnecessary stress to an already tense situation.

3. Arrange for Talk Therapy

Even if your children seem to be handling the situation with grace, schedule at least one session for them with a therapist. They may have questions or concerns that they're uncomfortable discussing with you or their other parent. They may also need to learn healthy coping strategies when feeling overwhelmed at situations that are beyond their control.

The compassionate team at Watson Law Firm of Harrison understands how hard divorce can be on the whole family. That’s why they use all the resources at their disposal to streamline divorce proceedings while mitigating potential disputes along the way. Representing clients throughout Boone County, AR, their divorce lawyers are backed by over three decades of experience. That's not their only area of expertise, though. They also practice criminal law, bankruptcy law, personal injury law, and malpractice law. When you’re ready to talk to a divorce lawyer on their team, call (870) 704-4037 or reach out on their website.