Divorce tips: help your kids cope

The internet is a vast land for tips for everything from how to fix your broken vacuum cleaner to what to do on Friday night. We often search for information that is pertinent to our current situation. It’s no wonder that parents who are going through divorce oftentimes spend hours online reading about tips and tricks to getting through a divorce without harming their child. They do it because they care – a lot. They want their child to thrive despite the split of their parents.

There are definitely some proactive steps parents can take in order to help their child through the process. Here are a few things to consider.

1. Do not play the guilt game. No matter how much you dislike your spouse, make sure your children never feel guilty for spending time with the other parent.

2. Be understanding. Children may act out because, frankly, they feel like the situation is out of their control. The process can be confusing and frustrating for kids of all ages.

3. With number 2 in mind, communicate with your children about the divorce. It doesn’t have to be rocket science – there’s no need for intricate details. They just need to know that they are not to blame and that both parents love them deeply.

4. Keep the fights out of earshot. You may think that fighting in the other room is a good way to keep your children from witnessing the incident. Wrong. In many cases children can hear you fighting and it can be very difficult for them to hear. Save these discussions for times when your children are not around.

5. Make the transition fun. Create new traditions and give your children something to look forward to when they come to your home.

There are many tips that can be helpful during the divorce process. In the end, what is important is that a child feels loved and understood as your family goes through a divorce.