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You’ve made the decision to get divorced. Now what? How do you tell your children? Talking to your children about divorce is challenging, but here are a couple of tips to help you out.
Keep it Together
Once you have made the tough decision tom part ways, you will need to tell your children. No matter how many children you have it is a good idea to tell them as a couple and to tell all the children at the same time. This way, your child will see that you are both involved in this decision, and that it is not just the decision of one of you, or that the other has already left. It will also give your children the opportunity to ask questions if needed and to emotionally support each other.
Use Clear Language
don’t dance around the subject when explaining divorce to your children. Use very clear language which is age proper that they will be able to understand, and which will not confuse them. Be honest about the situation. You don’t need to go into details, such as telling your children that their mom or dad is going to stay at a friend or family members house for a while will only raise further questions that you will need to avoid. Saying something like ‘mom/dad is going to live at so-and-so’s place from now on because we have decided that being together isn’t working’ will be more digestible, even if it is still emotionally shocking for them.
Being honest and straight-forward with your children about divorce is the best way to approach the subject.
