The stress of divorce affects children; they may feel angry or hurt after learning their family is splitting apart. A parent who speaks negatively about a soon-to-be ex-spouse in front of the kids can complicate their adjusting to a post-divorce family situation.
Children need reassurances to know they are safe and secure, even when one parent is absent from the home. As noted by WebMD, maintaining community ties and sticking to routines can help children adjust to the changes brought on by two parents living separately. Raising kids’ spirits with reminders about their connection to friends and relatives could help them cope with a divorce.
Keeping close ties with each parent
Children may find it easier to adjust to a post-divorce family life when they can remain in close contact with both parents. Mobile phone devices can make it easier for a child to remain connected to a parent through text messages, video chats and social media. According to research and as reported by UPI, kids value an engaged connection with their separated parent.
While sending a text message may seem “cold” to some, it can still help children maintain a constructive parent-child relationship and get through the trauma of a divorce. Adjusting to a new living arrangement requires communication; knowing that the absent parent is only a phone call away can help kids make the transition.
Creating a parenting plan
Dividing the time each parent spends with the kids could include certain days of the week or alternating holidays and vacations. By coming to a workable and court-approved agreement regarding a time-sharing schedule, a divorcing couple may make the transition smoother for the entire family.