Filing for divorce may be the best option for you and your family, but it can be a difficult subject to broach with your children. While explaining to your kids that their family is about to change is never comfortable, how you approach the topic can determine their reactions and how they adapt to their new lives. From talking about the arrangements you’ve made with your divorce attorney to showing love, here are a few tips. 

How to Talk to Your Children About Divorce

1. Make Arrangements Beforehand

After hearing that your marriage is over, children will normally have questions about where they will live, if they’ll still get to see the other parent, and how it will impact their social lives. Such a dramatic change can be frightening, but knowing what to expect can alleviate many of their concerns and help kids adapt more quickly. Before talking to your children, work with your spouse to come up with a temporary plan about their living arrangements, visitation schedule, and social activities.

2. Don’t Place Blame on Either Parent

Even if your separation is contentious and you’re only communicating through your divorce attorneys, avoid fighting in front of your children. This will only make them feel as though they have to choose a side, inevitably making the entire experience more difficult. While you should have an age-appropriate explanation for the divorce ready, avoid blaming either parent for the separation.

3. Tell Them You Love Them

When a marriage ends, children often blame themselves and may take the separation as a sign that you no longer love them. They need to hear that although you and your spouse can no longer live together, your feelings for your children haven’t changed. Tell them that you love them, and make them the center of the conversation.

With over a century of combined legal experience, the divorce attorneys at Coyne, Cundiff & Hillemann, P.C. have been voted one of the top three law firms in St. Charles County, MO. They understand how difficult ending a marriage can be, so they’re committed to providing the compassionate legal service you need. Visit their website to learn more about their family law services, and get updates on Facebook. To speak with a divorce attorney in Lake St. Louis, call (636) 561-5599, or dial (636) 456-7969 for a consultation at their office in Warrenton.