5 Tips for Protecting Your Children From the Effects of Divorce

Divorce can be a heartbreaking experience, especially if you have been trying to work on your marital issues for some time. While adults can manage the psychological stress associated with the divorce process, it often creates psychological turmoil in children. Consequently, most parents don’t protect their kids during this process, which only worsens matters. 

Your children should be your top priority, whether your divorce is amicable or contentious. With the right strategy, you can ease the psychological impact of divorce on your kids. 

1. Try Mediation 

Most spouses believe that litigation is the only avenue to end a marriage. However, mediation is an effective strategy for divorce resolution. Family court judges and divorce lawyers often advise spouses to try mediation before heading to court.

Mediation rather than divorce litigation is advantageous to children because the proceeding is private. Only spouses, lawyers, and arbitrators are present during mediation sessions. Therefore, divorce mediation prevents the emotional stress that children commonly experience in family courts. If a spouse gets emotional, a mediator can stop the session and reschedule for a later date.

Most importantly, divorce mediation protects children by managing parental hostility and tension typical in courtrooms.

2. Use Support Networks 

Divorce is a stressful process that can drain you physically, emotionally, and psychologically, especially if it drags longer than necessary. As a result, some spouses become withdrawn, while others experience depression. Unfortunately, you cannot deal with such issues alone and still support your children accordingly.

Divorce lawyers often advise spouses with children to ensure they have a robust support network around them. For instance, your social circles could be an excellent source of support during divorce. Divorce support groups are a good alternative if your social circle lacks the support system you need. You can only protect your children from the emotional turmoil associated with divorce if you are in the right frame of mind.

3. Keep Children Out of Your Disputes

Some spouses will do anything to get favorable divorce conditions, including using their children. However, dragging your children into the dispute is the last thing you should do if you care about them. For example, do not make the proceedings a loyalty test for your kids. Involving kids is unacceptable and could work against you when discussing child custody. Children love both parents; therefore, making them pick a side feels like a test of loyalty and creates anxiety. 

Avoid involving your kids in your disputes. Even if your partner uses the children as a weapon against you, do not add to the pressure. You should also not argue in the presence of kids because it stresses them.

4. Maintain a Normal Routine 

In most cases, divorcing spouses live separately during the separation process. While children can adapt, the changes might cause psychological strain. Therefore, maintain the same routine your family was accustomed to before the divorce began. For instance, if your child used to sleep at 8 p.m. before you moved out, ensure they sleep at the exact time when they come visiting.

If you must adjust your old routine, make changes, and stick to them. Maintain a sense of normalcy to enhance emotional stability in kids throughout the divorce process.

5. Talk to Your Kids

Talking to your children during divorce is challenging. Most kids often think they are the reason their parents are divorcing and will do anything to change the situation. For instance, teenage children can get involved in delinquent behaviors to get the attention of their parents. In most cases, a lack of communication between parents and children causes such behaviors.

Talk to your children, and allow them to express their feelings and understand what is happening. Therefore, listen keenly to what they have to say and show empathy, even if they blame you for the divorce.

When preparing for divorce, make it a priority to insulate your kids from the emotional turmoil involved. At Rise Law Group, we walk with clients every step of the way. Contact us today to learn more.