The day when you need to tell your children that your marriage is over is going to be hard. So much so, that many parents put it off longer than they should.
While you need to take time to think about what you say, you need to get in before your children find out through someone else. Here are some other things to help it go as smoothly as possible:
Do it together if possible
Both parents giving the message together is generally best, but sometimes being in the same room together is not possible. Or it’s not possible without things turning into an argument. If you can do it together, it helps the children take away one message, rather than two possible conflicting ones.
Spare them the details
Your kids do not need to find out everything about your divorce and in many cases doing so could be incredibly harmful. It’s better to concentrate on the essentials, at least for now.
Make time to answer their questions
Their concerns may not be what you expect so try to look at things from their point of view. Where the rabbit will live might be very far down your list of priorities right now, but it may be incredibly important to your child.
Let them know they have not caused this
Many children feel they have caused their parent’s divorce. While that seems hard to fathom, it’s a real issue, so be sure to reassure them. Kids may also fear that you will fall out of love with them, just as you have fallen out of love with each other, so make it clear that you both still love them and always will.
Divorcing with children will always be tough, but sometimes it is for the best. If you have questions about what happens next, you may want help to learn more.