Dealing with the Negative Impacts of Divorce on Children

Going through a divorce, with the disruption that it causes in the home and the impact it has on family members, is hard for everyone involved. Children in particular can suffer fears and doubts about themselves and their overall security, which they often fail to express or communicate with their parents. If you are going through a break up and there are little ones involved, it is important to know that things can work out in the long run, provided you take the appropriate steps now in dealing with the situation. The following offers tips to help guide you through this challenging time.

Divorce and its Impact on Children

For even adult children, hearing the news that their parents are getting divorced can be emotionally devastating. Young children do have the tendency to be resilient, and ending a contentious marriage is often preferable to trying to raise young ones in a home where there is constant fighting.

However, it is important to address the impact a divorce is likely to have on different areas of your child’s life and the strong emotions it is likely to elicit. According to studies conducted by the National Institutes of Health (NIH), the following are important issues to address:

Lost time with each parent: Dealing with the fact that both parents will not be under the same roof or as readily available is often a major concern. While a certain amount of lost time is unavoidable, joint parenting time arrangements can help ensure both parents remain active and engaged in the child’s life.
Threatened economic security: Going from two incomes to one as the result of a divorce is challenging, particularly if one parent makes significantly less than the other. However, under the Florida Statutes, each parent does have the duty to provide for their children. Your attorney can help you in obtaining a child support order and in enforcing payment to help cover basic needs, educational costs, and recreational expenses.
Loss of emotional security: Sadly, divorce can end up impacting children and their relationships with other members of your family, such as grandparents, aunt and uncles, step siblings, or other family members. It can also result in major changes, such as a move or a change in schools. You can help minimize the fallout by allowing visitation with extended family members and maintaining your child’s regular schedule as much as possible.

Divorce inevitably results in a disruption of regular family traditions, such as yearly vacations and holiday celebrations. You can help your child adjust by acknowledging the situation and their feelings, as you work on establishing new traditions. Keep the lines of communication open and get plenty of input from them while you incorporate some of their favorite hobbies and most cherished activities into your new way of life.

Reach Out to Us Today for Help

For parents, making sure their children are provided for is an important part of divorce proceedings. For legal guidance in creating parenting plans and support in addressing the issues that often arise, contact attorney Vanessa L. Prieto in Fort Lauderdale and request a consultation today.

Resource:

ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4240051/