Children's Reaction To Divorce

written by divorceandchildren
08-28-2009
996 views | 1 comments

I believe that [everyone] is the keeper of a dream, and by tuning into one another's secret hopes, we can become better friends, better partners, better parents� -Oprah Winfrey (1954-) O Magazine, June 2003

Children's reactions to divorce vary just as those of the parents. It certainly is a fact that dissolution of a marriage will be a stressful. Depending on their ages and temperaments, some children withdraw, sulk or just zone out! While others will be acting aggressively, talk back and have tantrums. Older kids and teenagers may turn to negative ways of coping by starting to smoke, getting drunk, fighting, sexual activity, eating disorders, getting in trouble at school and with the law; becoming delinquents.

We as parents need to find positive ways to effectively help, relieve, relate and mange the stress in our kids lives. The following are 7 helpful tips to reduce the stress in healthy ways:

1. Be sure the home where the kids are living is safe, secure, familiar, consistent and dependable.

2. Set aside one a week as FAMILY NIGHT. Time where you relax, have fun and spend time together!

3. Build feelings of self-worth! Use encouragement and affection. Involver your kids in situations where can and do succeed!

4. Be consistent at ALL TIMES in how you discipline. Kids want boundaries, expectations, guidelines, accountability and consequences!

5. Give your kids opportunities to make choices; having some control in their lives is important. Research has shown the more people feel they have control over a situation the better their response is to stress.

6. Encourage physical activities. Healthy Body Will Give You A Healthy Mind.

7. Keep in mind there are NEVER wrong or right answers, just different points of view ~ look for the common ground!

Divorce its just so hard for the kids. when my parents separated, I was so doomed and very disappointed. But I just have to accept things as they are meant to happen. Good thing I got this planner/organizer from co-Parenting-Manager (http://4help.to/plan) which really helped me cope up with the situation. Their website is also perfect for parents and kids who are experiencing the dilemma of divorce.

comment by Danny Siegle on 03-07-2010