Depending on the age of your child when you decide to divorce, you may need to explain the process and what is happening.
While you don’t have to go into details, there are several things you need to say to ensure that your child has a clear idea of what is going on and where they fit into the process. Consider the following:
— It is not your fault. This is the first thing you need to say, as you want your child to understand that he or she did not do anything wrong.
— You can feel however you want. You want your child to know that it’s okay to feel however he or she wants about the divorce process.
— There is plenty of help to be had. Tell your child that you are willing to answer his or her questions. Also, let them know that you can find outside help if necessary.
— Both of us still love you. Despite the fact that you are going through a divorce, you need to let your child know that he or she still has the love of both parents.
These are just a few of the many things to say to your child about your divorce. As the process moves forward, it goes without saying that you’ll need to share additional information and guidance.
Since you have so much on your plate, including the well-being of your child, it never hurts to plan out the divorce process with the help of a professional team. With this approach, you won’t feel nearly as overwhelmed.
Source: The Huffington Post, “10 things all divorcing parents should say to their kids,” accessed May 16, 2017