How Should I Tell My Child About Divorce?

Sharing Difficult News

Divorce is never an easy conversation to have with anyone, but it can be especially difficult when you have to tell your children about it. Many parents feel overwhelmed and uncertain about how to break the news to their kids. The most important thing to remember is that your child's well-being should be your top priority. You want to make sure that they are able to cope with the divorce in a healthy way. In this blog post, we will discuss some tips for telling your child about divorce in a sensitive and effective way.

Choose the Right Time and Place

You should avoid telling your child about your plans to divorce in public. This private conversation should happen in a safe and comfortable setting. You might want to consider telling your child at home, or if you don't live together, then wherever your child feels most comfortable.

In addition, the time you share this news with your child makes a difference. You do not want to share this news close to when they are about to go to bed or are tired. You want to be able to answer any questions they have and help them process this information. Choose a time when you can be completely present with your child; for example, don’t tell them before they go to school..

Try to Have Both Parents Present

It's best to have both parents present when telling a child about divorce. This way, the child can hear both sides of the story and know that both parents are still there for them. If one parent is not able to be present, make sure to explain why.

Be Honest and Age Appropriate

When telling your child about your plans to divorce, you should be honest about what is happening. Try to use age-appropriate language that your child will understand. It's important to explain that the divorce is not their fault and that both parents still love them very much.

Be Simple in Your Explanation

When telling your child about your plans to divorce, be honest. This is not a time to sugarcoat things or try to make the situation seem better than it is. Be straightforward with your explanation and use simple language that your child will understand.

Anticipate and Answer Any Questions

Your child is likely to have many questions about what this means for them. Be prepared to answer any questions they have as best you can. If you don't know the answer to something right when they ask, it's ok to say so. You can also inform them that it's ok to ask more questions later on.

Give Them Time to React and Process

After telling your child about the divorce, give them time to react. They might need some time to process the news and might not want to talk about it right away. That's ok. Check in with them to see how they're doing and let them know that you're there for them.

Reassure Them That They Are Not Alone

It's important for your child to know that they are not alone. Reassure them that both parents will still be there for them and that they can always come to you with any questions or concerns. Let them know that you love them and will always be there for them.

Reassure Them That They Will be Ok

Above all, you should try to reassure your child that they will be ok. Let them know that they will always have both parents in their life and that they will always be loved. Try to emphasize that nothing about them has changed and that you both still love them very much.

Get Help from an Attorney for Divorce

If you are planning to file for divorce, it's important to get help from an experienced divorce attorney. They can answer any questions you have and help you through this difficult process.

At Rutter and Sleeth Law Offices, we know how difficult divorce can be on all parties involved. We do whatever we can to help you through this challenging time.

Learn more about divorce or schedule a consultation by calling (573) 279-1349 or by visiting our website.