Many parents wonder how a divorce will impact their children. Some may decide to stay married because they think it will benefit the children. It’s imperative that all parents realize that remaining in a high-conflict or toxic marriage isn’t ever going to help the kids.
Living in a home with ongoing conflict can lead to serious mental health and emotional issues for the children. In many cases, it’s better for the parents to divorce so the kids don’t have that constant strife.
Keep communication open
Many children fear that they aren’t going to be able to remain close to both parents. One way that you can quell those fears is to ensure that communication remains open. Encourage the children to enjoy the time they have with both parents. They may worry that one parent doesn’t want them to have fun when they’re with the other parent. Make it clear to them that you want them to have a good relationship with all their family members, including your ex.
Give them time to adjust
Kids need time to adjust to the new way of life. Research has found that it can take children up to two years to adjust to their parents divorcing. During this time, parents should be prepared to help the children to cope with the emotional changes that happen because of the major life change.
Anyone who’s going through a divorce should ensure they try to get their parenting plan set quickly. This provides the foundation the children need to adjust to the new way of life. Get this set based on what the kids need now since it’s possible to modify the plan if it becomes necessary in the future.
