Children going through their parents’ divorce feel many emotions. Even when divorcing parents do their best to reassure children that they will continue to love them and be there for them, children experience a wide range of feelings. Some of the feelings they may experience are confusion, sadness, anxiety and anger. Parents can successfully navigate the emotional challenges their children experience in divorce by being patient and understanding.
Parents have the Power to Provide Security
Remaining fully present to children at all times, reassures them and fortifies their sense of security. Consistent contact with the children, even when they may physically be with the other parent, reinforces that both relationships are strong. The most basic of needs is knowing that both parents will remain involved in their daily lives. Parents who respect the love their children have for the other parent will diminish the emotional ups and downs that many families deal with while adjusting to divorce.
Mutual respect between both parents decreases the chance of the children feeling like they are to blame for the dissolution of the marriage. Parents who bad mouth one another or who fight about the children can expect the children to be unsettled and needy beyond normal expectations. Children experiencing divorce will better adjust to all of the changes divorce brings when parents do the best they can to get along with each other. There is no place for jealousy or upset regarding the time a child spends with the other parent.
Positive and open communication between parents, and refraining from using the children as go-betweens, affords a smoother transition for everyone. Regardless of the relationship between the adults, parents need to realize that their children are counting on them for stability, structure and love.
Effects of Divorce on Children
Children of divorce may be more susceptible to health problems as they grow older. The social and environmental conditions, financial sufferings and fewer learning opportunities may play a part in future health issues. Moreover, data shows that children of divorce may contemplate suicide as they grow older more so than children of parents who stay married. Higher levels of insecurity, anxiety and low self-esteem are prone in children whose parents divorced when they were under the age of five as opposed to those children whose parents divorced when they were older.
Statistics also reveal that many children of divorce marry at a younger age and many more marry someone from a divorced family. Both of these factors contribute to children of divorce experiencing higher rates of divorce themselves. The majority of children also believe that when their parents’ divorce, they have lost their family. All of these perceptions, emotions and beliefs have the power to shape a child’s future and their future relationships. When parents do a good job managing the stress of divorce, children can better manage their feelings and therefore go on to lead healthy productive lives.
Towson Divorce Lawyers at Huesman, Jones and Miles, LLC Provide Compassionate Legal Counsel
Towson divorce lawyers at Huesman, Jones and Miles have the knowledge and experience to provide Maryland residents with compassionate legal counsel. We will work tirelessly to ensure that you achieve the best possible outcome for your family. We handle Maryland family law matters such as divorce, child custody, child support, parenting plans, grandparent’s rights, prenuptial agreements and domestic violence issues.
Our offices are located in Hunt Valley, Towson, and Pikesville, Maryland allowing us to conveniently serve clients throughout Baltimore County, Harford County, Carroll County and Howard County, as well as residents of Towson, Bel Air, Columbia, Elliott City, Westminster and Essex. Call 443-589-0150 or use our online contact form for a free consultation with a divorce lawyer in Towson.
