IMPORTANT STEPS TO HELP YOUR KIDS SURVIVE DIVORCE

by Van Den Heuvel Law Office

Just about everyone is already aware that divorce can be hard for both the couple and their children, if they have any. Many studies have been done about effects of divorce on children both in the short- and long-term. While most studies agree that kids can have a difficult time dealing with divorce, the truth is, divorce does not have to be devastating for kids. They can overcome their parents failed marriage and they can live a happy and productive life. It just takes some work, especially from their parents, to help children overcome the fact that their family unit is no longer in tact.

There will be tough moments and kids will no doubt go through some adjustments. It’s also important to remember that all kids are different and they will all deal with divorce in their own way. The most important thing parents can remember is to be there for their children to provide the love, support and reassurance they need, whenever they need it. So what can parents do to help their children survive, and even thrive, after divorce? There are many things to keep in mind.

One of the most important things to remember when you are going through divorce is to be honest with your kids. It’s best to let your kids know what is going on without trying to sugarcoat things. Of course, this will need to be done in an age-appropriate manner and in a way that is appropriate for your children. It is better to be honest with your kids than try to hide things and then have them find out the truth later. This will only serve to create distrust, which might already be an issue due to your pending separation.

Another very important thing to avoid is being negative. As hard as it might seem, you should still try to focus only on the positives about your divorce. Do whatever you can to keep a positive environment and never badmouth your spouse in front of your kids. This will only create more dissent in your family unit. You should not use your kids to spy on your estranged spouse either, or as a go-between. Although you might feel guilty about divorce as it pertains to your children, you should maintain the same level of discipline that you always have. This will help maintain a feeling of consistency that your children are used to.

There are many other things parents can do to help their kids overcome divorce and all the difficult aspects that can arise when a marriage ends. Of course, this information should not be considered as legal advice and you are always best to seek the help of an experienced attorney before making any important decisions regarding divorce. If you need help with a divorce or any other family law issue, then please contact the Van Den Heuvel Law Office in Grand Rapids, today. Call us at 616-698-0000 for help with your family law issues, or click here to contact us online.

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