Comprehensive Solutions to Difficult Family Law Issues

Shielding children from the effects of divorce

On Behalf of | Nov 30, 2022 | Firm News

Although California marriages don’t typically begin with the idea of divorce, sometimes they evolve into it. That doesn’t mean either party is good or bad. Sometimes things just don’t work out.

Signs your child is suffering from divorce trauma

Unfortunately, children often get dragged into the trauma and drama between a married couple. How do you know if your child is being adversely affected? Listed below are 10 signs that your divorce adversely impacts your child:

  • Anger
  • Academic drop
  • Age regression, especially in those six years and younger
  • Changes in eating or sleeping patterns
  • Cognitive dissonance
  • Depression
  • Risky behaviors
  • Relationship struggles as they age
  • Social withdrawal
  • Separation anxiety

Although it’s easy for adults to be so absorbed in their divorce that they overlook these issues, addressing them can have a lifelong impact on their child.

How do you prevent divorce trauma from impacting your child?

The following tips may help alleviate your child’s anxiety and stress over your divorce:

  • Assure your child at least daily that both of you love them, and that won’t change.
  • Encourage your child to communicate their feelings and emotions to both parents freely.
  • Never argue in front of your child.
  • Never ask your child to take sides in your divorce.
  • Never disparage or criticize the other parent in front of your child.
  • Reassure the child that they aren’t responsible for the divorce.
  • Unusual circumstances notwithstanding, assure them they’ll continue to see both parents. It will just be on a different schedule.

Your child didn’t ask to be born and shouldn’t be involved in this adults-only transaction. How the parents handle their divorce can make a tremendous difference in its impact on their child.

Long-term impact of divorce

Statistics prove that divorce can have a lifelong impact on a child’s mental and emotional health. However, when you keep communications free and open and encourage positive interaction with your child and both parents, you can minimize the divorce’s negative effects and changes in your child’s lifestyle.