You’re going through a divorce and have children. You may have realized that you should probably talk to your children about the divorce. But, how will you do this?
You may need to ask yourself the following questions to prepare for this complex conversation:
When should I tell my kids the news?
Timing is everything when talking about divorce to children.
For starters, you may need to be sure that you understand what will happen once your divorce is finalized. You might need to, for instance, know where your children will live, how much visitation each parent is granted, what will happen during holidays and who will attend your kids’ doctor appointments. If you talk to your children too early, there may be unexpected changes that only confuse them.
It’s also important to plan a time in the day to have the talk. Having a talk during breakfast or dinner may give your children time to ask questions and process the information. But, if you talk about the divorce before your children go to school, they might end up confused and uncomfortable.
What should I tell my kids about the divorce?
A divorce can get messy, but that doesn’t mean your children have to know everything. Some parents believe that their children should be spared some details, such as the cause of the divorce. Instead, you could give an oversimplified explanation. For example, the divorce is happening because you’re starting a new chapter in your life.
As you prepare more for what will happen after the divorce, you could also talk about the changes your children should expect. Will your children go to the same school? Or, will they still get to see their grandparents?
Are you doing the right thing by talking to your kids?
The simple truth to the matter is that your children will learn about the divorce eventually. You may be able to prepare them for the changes to come, but it will likely be a difficult discussion no matter what.
Working out the details of your divorce doesn’t have to be difficult. Learning more about your legal options will help you throughout the process.
