Positive Effects of Divorce on Children
Positive effects from a divorce? Sounds a little farfetched, doesn’t it? But the matter of the fact is that when you hire a divorce attorney to help guide you through this troubling time in your life it can greatly change the way you and your soon to be ex-partner handle this which will forever be imprinted into your child’s mind. This experience will follow them into adulthood and affect their adult relationships as well. So, even though it is very difficult to do, it is important to stay positive and handle this with care, for the sake of your children.
How To Guide Your Child Thru the Divorce
Parents play a major role in how children adjust to a divorce. It’s not the child’s fault that your marriage didn’t work out so don’t make it about them. Here are some strategies that can reduce the psychological toll divorce has on children:
Co-Parent Peacefully – Intense conflict between parents has been shown to increase children’s distress. Overt hostility, such as screaming and threatening one another has been linked to behavior problems in children. If you struggle to co-parent with your ex-spouse, seek professional help.
Avoid Putting Kids in the Middle – Asking kids to choose which parent they like best isn’t appropriate. Kids who find themselves caught in the middle are more likely to experience depression and anxiety.
Maintain Healthy Relationships – Positive communication, parental warmth, and low levels of conflict will help children adjust to divorce better. A healthy parent-child relationship has been shown to help kids develop higher self-esteem and better academic performance.
Use Consistent Discipline – Establish age-appropriate rules and follow through with consequences when necessary. Effective discipline after a divorce can reduce delinquency and improve academic performance
Monitor Adolescents Closely – When parents pay close attention to what teens are doing and who they spend their time with, adolescents are less likely to exhibit behavior problems following a divorce.
Empower Your Children – Teach your child that although dealing with divorce is difficult, they have the mental strength to handle it. Kids who doubt their ability to deal with the changes will see themselves as helpless victims and are more likely to experience mental health problems as they grow up.
Teach Coping Skills – Problem-solving skills and cognitive restructuring skills are great coping strategies for children and help them adapt better to the divorce. Teach your child how to manage thier thoughts, feelings, and behaviors in a healthy way.
Help Kids Feel Safe – Fear of abandonment and concerns about the future can cause a lot of anxiety. But helping your child feel loved, safe, and secure can not only reduce clinginess but also diminish the risk of mental health problems.
Get Professional Help – Reducing your stress level can be instrumental in helping your child. Practice self-care and consider talk therapy or other resources to help you adjust to the changes in your family.
Montgomery Kelley & Dennett are here to help!
Are you in need of a divorce attorney to help with your case and live in James City County, Virginia? At Montgomery, Kelley & Dennett we have decades of combined legal experience to pursue your case.