Divorce is a particularly challenging time for children. It is common for kids to experience a number of negative emotions while navigating the divorce process, including feelings of displacement, uneasiness brought on by the lack of order and routine, and disruption in their concept of family. 

To avoid these negative and potentially overwhelming problems, there are a number of options that parents can pursue. 

Potential Ways that Parents can Help Children

To avoid children experiencing feelings like anxiety, depression, isolation, and powerlessness, parents often pursue a number of options, which include the following:

  • Awareness. Some parents cause additional negative emotions in children by saying inappropriate things. Throughout the divorce process, parents should encourage children to think of divorce as not an end to things but instead the beginning of a new period of their life. Thinking about divorce in this way can make it much easier for children to cope with the divorce process. 
  • Civility. Divorce is a difficult time, but parents should avoid expressing their unhappiness with their family members while children are around. This is because arguing in front of children increases the likelihood that a child will end up feeling unstable. Instead, as a parent, it is your job to remain calm and collected in front of your child. 
  • Counseling. There is a long-standing myth in some circles that counseling means there is something wrong with a person. In reality, counseling can help you navigate through a difficult time. By obtaining one on one counseling for your children with a therapist, you can provide the child the opportunity to speak about any negative emotions with a trained professional. In many cases, a counselor will provide the child with coping strategies that will make the divorce process much easier. 

The Advantages of Getting a Child a Dog During Divorce

An additional strategy that many parents have discovered can help children successfully navigate the divorce period is to provide a child with a dog. Some of the advantages that can be realized by presenting a child with a dog during a divorce include: 

  • Dogs make children much less lonely, which can offset the feelings of isolation that children often feel following divorce.
  • Dogs can help to make sure that children stay in top physical health. This is because dogs that are constantly active means that children will also be.
  • Caring for dogs teaches children about responsibility, which can play a pivotal role in a child’s growth and maturity.
  • Dogs can provide children with a sense of support. This can help to combat the feelings of confusion and fearfulness that children often experience. 

Speak with an Experienced Family Law Attorney

The divorce process is challenging for adults, but it can seem like an impossible period for children. To make sure that this process proceeds as smoothly as possible, it can help to retain the assistance of an experienced family law attorney. Contact Vayman & Teitelbaum P.C. today to schedule a free initial consultation.