How do I minimize the negative impact of divorce on our children?

Divorce is difficult on everyone—yourself, your partner, and your children. In order to minimize the negative impact of divorce on your children, there are things you can do to help during this transition time.

How do I minimize the negative impact of divorce on our children?

• 1. Avoid fighting in the presence of your children. The conflict will only increase their anxiety. Certainly, you will have disagreements with your partner, but keep them as private as possible.
• 2. Assure your children that they are not responsible for the problems in your marriage. Younger kids normally think of themselves as the center of the universe, creating an illusion of control over their environment to compensate for feelings of helplessness. They may believe that you are divorcing because of something they did.
• 3. Frequently assure your children that both you and your partner love them and will never abandon them, even if you live apart. Children need to maintain an emotional bond with both parents. It is important that you and your spouse assure them with both words and actions.
• 4. Resist the impulse to blame your spouse for the divorce or elicit your kids as allies. Children experience an impossible bind if they believe they must take sides in your dispute.
• 5. Do not burden your children with too much responsibility. Let them continue to be just kids. During the transition you may feel overwhelmed and need more help from them. Be careful not to overburden them.
• 6. Do not lean on your children for emotional support. That will overburden them emotionally and divide their loyalties. Seek your support from family, friends, and therapy.
• 7. Do not let your kids manipulate you. You may feel guilty for causing them pain and want to make up for it by overindulging them. Your children need to know that you are still the authority in the family, even if you are feeling distress.

From the book TRANSCENDING POST-INFIDELITY STRESS DISORDER: THE SIX STAGES OF HEALING by Dennis Ortman © 2009, published by Celestial Arts/Ten Speed, an imprint of The Crown Publishing Group.