Parent are understandably nervous about how to tell their children they are separating and moving into two homes. Parents don’t want to cause their children any pain, but know this conversation will be painful. Parents worry about what to say and how their children will react and adjust. Having some structure and a guide to key points to make help parents stay focused on the most important things to convey when talking with their children. How parents handle this initial conversation with their children sets a tone for the children about how their parents will handle the divorce. Children will sense whether their parents can sit together, send a consistent message, avoid blame, and continue to be their parents, focused together on their care and well-being.
I had the pleasure to discuss this topic in an interview with my esteemed colleague, attorney Jill Brittle of Jill Brittle Family Law Group. I cover the when, where, and what to say. Listen in…
Key take-aways include:
Sit down together with your children as a way to demonstrate to them that you may be transitioning to two homes, but you will remain united as their parents.
Let them know that this is an adult decision that’s not about them, that you love them very much and intend to help them adjust to this family transition.
Help them understand the basics of what to expect with regard to not only what will change, but what will remain the same.
With proper planning and a child-centered mindset, this important conversation can establish how you, as parents, intend to navigate this important transition in the life of your family.
For more information on Jill Brittle Family Law Group P.C.
For more information regarding peaceful divorce solutions, consider Portland Collaborative Divorce
For information on collaborative divorce go to https://www.collaborativepractice.com/
For support in your divorce adjustment, consider divorce coaching or psychotherapy at https://gabardi.com/
