After divorce, not only the couple need additional supports but also the children. Children need people with whom they can comfortably express their negative emotions.
Some kids may avoid talking to their parents because they don’t want to hurt them or because they feel guilty adding to their problems. Others may feel intense anger and emotionally separate themselves from their parents, closing the door to communication. In these and other cases, children may benefit from having other people to talk to.
Kids also need skills to manage stress and coping with situations over which they have no control. Problem solving skills can help kids adjust to the issues of divorced families. As children are still young, they may not have the ability to think wisely and make decisions rationally. Additional skills and support may come from:
• Relatives. Sometimes aunts, uncles or grandparents may provide a familiar environment where kids can share their deeper feelings. When parents do not want their children to visit the ex-spouse’s relatives, it may help to honestly question if that decision is in the best interest of the child.
• Family friends. Visits or outings with family friends may also be helpful for kids who need help adapting to a divorce.
• Teachers. Educators should be informed when parents are separating or divorcing. They can provide valuable support during the many hours your child is in school. It also helps them understand your child’s behavior and prevent problems with classmates and grades.
• School counselors. In some schools, counselors may provide services for a limited time.
• Faith-based counseling. Some religious organizations provide support for families that are going through a divorce or dealing with the effects of a divorce.
• Trained mental health professionals. A child or family therapist can help children express and work out their complicated emotions in a safe environment, and can help normalize and stabilize the child’s situation. Some therapists may also conduct counseling groups for children which help decrease the sense of aloneness in this new life problem.
http://www.helpguide.org/mental/children_divorce.htm
Some kids may avoid talking to their parents because they don’t want to hurt them or because they feel guilty adding to their problems. Others may feel intense anger and emotionally separate themselves from their parents, closing the door to communication. In these and other cases, children may benefit from having other people to talk to.
Kids also need skills to manage stress and coping with situations over which they have no control. Problem solving skills can help kids adjust to the issues of divorced families. As children are still young, they may not have the ability to think wisely and make decisions rationally. Additional skills and support may come from:
• Relatives. Sometimes aunts, uncles or grandparents may provide a familiar environment where kids can share their deeper feelings. When parents do not want their children to visit the ex-spouse’s relatives, it may help to honestly question if that decision is in the best interest of the child.
• Family friends. Visits or outings with family friends may also be helpful for kids who need help adapting to a divorce.
• Teachers. Educators should be informed when parents are separating or divorcing. They can provide valuable support during the many hours your child is in school. It also helps them understand your child’s behavior and prevent problems with classmates and grades.
• School counselors. In some schools, counselors may provide services for a limited time.
• Faith-based counseling. Some religious organizations provide support for families that are going through a divorce or dealing with the effects of a divorce.
• Trained mental health professionals. A child or family therapist can help children express and work out their complicated emotions in a safe environment, and can help normalize and stabilize the child’s situation. Some therapists may also conduct counseling groups for children which help decrease the sense of aloneness in this new life problem.
http://www.helpguide.org/mental/children_divorce.htm
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