There is no doubt that divorce impacts the whole family. You cannot separate without negative consequences, which also goes for your children.
Knowing the impact will help you deal with the problems that arise with your children.
How divorce impacts your children
The way that children react to your divorce depends on various factors. Some of these factors are:
- The conduct of the parents
- The stability of the child’s mental and emotional state
- The presence of siblings
- Whether or not there are health or other concerns
The presence of these factors impacts how your children respond to divorce.
Some typical things you might see happen are:
- Poor academic performance
- Loss of interest in normal activities or depression
- Inability to adapt to the changes happening or resistance to change
- Uncontrollable emotional reactions
- Guilt and destructive behavior
These are not the only behaviors you might see. You may also see a loss of faith and a significant increase in health problems.
How to reduce the impact of divorce
You and your ex-spouse can help mitigate the damage your divorce does. You do this by exhibiting an understanding of the situation. When children feel love and understanding from both sides, their reactions will likely be less severe.
In a co-parenting situation, if you both keep things civil and peaceful. Try not to argue with your ex-spouse when your children are present. This includes not putting your children in the middle of the divorce.
Ensure that you and your ex-spouse are consistent when you discipline them. Inconsistency can confuse your children and make the emotional consequences of your divorce more severe.
No matter what, you need to pay attention to how your children react and take steps to lessen their discomfort.