How Does Divorce Affect Children?
Common Divorce Practices That May Negatively Impact Children
Divorce can be frustrating for the children involved as it not only impacts their lifestyle, but their voices and preferences can easily get lost during the process.
For many parents going through a divorce, they’re hyper-focused on legal proceedings and how things are being handled in court. However, they can get so caught up in the legality of things, they may overlook or forget how their actions could affect their children.
Discussing the Negatives of the Relationship Openly
Children shouldn’t have to pick a side in a divorce and they shouldn’t have to harbor resentment towards one parent over the other. During and after a divorce, some parents feel the need to negatively talk about their ex-spouse in a capacity in which their children can hear.
The moment you discuss negative interactions with your child, you put them in a difficult position regarding how they feel towards the other parent. Don’t make your child pick a side. They should have the same bond with both parents and feel nothing but love to and from both parties.
Changing Their Schools
After a divorce, it is common one parent will move out from the family home, but the location of the new home can have an impact on the child. Depending on the distance of the move, the custodial parent may end up changing the child’s school as a result of the move.
Unfortunately, changing schools after a divorce can have a negative impact on friendships, as well as the child’s performance. It may also cause the child to feel negative about the parent that forced the change in schools as they may no longer be happy in their new school.
Fighting In Front of Children
Exposing your children to any arguments and divorce discussions can be damaging in a number of ways. First, it can cause kids to feel a certain way about one of the parents if they discover a fact that led to the divorce. Second, it can make the children feel as though the divorce is their fault. Finally, your children may feel hurt and disappointment about the situation.
