Hurt,
pain, loss and anger are just a few of the feelings you'll have
about your separation or divorce. While this may be one of the
most painful and stressful periods in your life, it's doubly
so for your children.
Experts agree that far too often it's children who suffer most
in separation or divorce proceedings, and so it's important
to handle telling them in a mature, adult manner.
"No matter how painful you think this will be for your
children, you shouldn't assume they don't want to know,"
says Michael Cochrane, a Toronto-based lawyer specializing in
family law, and the author of Surviving Your Divorce and Surviving
Your Parents' Divorce (both John Wily, 1999). "When children
know something is wrong, and no one's talking about it, it leads
to uncertainty, feelings of guilt, and, often, taking on responsibility
for problems that belong to the adults."
Below are some strategies and tips for talking to your kids,
and for helping them deal with the aftermath of the news.
Tell them together, as early as possible
Parents are often surprised that their children know about an
impending separation or divorce long before they are officially
told. That's because separation and divorce are usually preceded
by tension or arguing in the home. However, the kids still need
to be officially told, no matter what they might have figured
out for themselves.
It's best if you and your ex-spouse can tell the children the
news as a couple. This approach will give you both an opportunity
to reassure your children of your continued love for them. However,
Deborah Mecklinger, a Toronto-area therapist and mediator, notes,
"If you think there's going to be a lot of conflict or
a confrontation if you tell the children together, then it's
better to have one parent break the news to the children. Re-enacting
major battles in front of the children will probably do more
damage than the news of the separation or divorce itself."
It's also a good idea to work out some of the details of your
separation or divorce before you sit down with the kids. Knowing
things such as where the children will live, which parent they
will live with, and visitation schedules, will help your kids
get over the initial shock of the news.
"While children will have an immediate emotional response
to the news of a separation or divorce, parents often overlook
the fact that kids will have a lot of questions of a practical
nature," says Deborah.
"Children are most concerned with how this change will
affect their world: will there still be a mom and a dad, will
they still see their grandparents, will they go to the same
school, will they still be able to see the same friends? Even
if you don't have all these details worked out before you tell
the kids, you should anticipate these kinds of questions."
Stan Benner, a counsellor and family mediator working in private
practice in Toronto and Brampton, says that assuring children
of any age repeatedly of your love for them is the best way
to cushion the news: "Tell your kids that your love for
them is not going to change until you feel confident they understand
that - and then tell them again!"
Both you and your ex-spouse may want to consult parenting or
a therapist or mediator before talking to your children. As
well, Michael advises that you and your ex-spouse have a definite
plan or strategy for telling the kids before you talk to them.
"Knowing which parent is going to say what and agreeing
that you will support one another in front of the children will
make this difficult conversation a little easier."
Be honest
Don't lie to your children about the reasons for your separation
or divorce - even if you think you're sparing their feelings.
Children are smart and will probably know if you're being less
than truthful with them. This doesn't mean you should fill them
in on every sordid, adult detail. "It's important to talk
about the facts in an age-appropriate manner," adds Deborah.
"There's a big difference in what you can tell a four year
old and what you can tell a thirteen year old."
Deborah also cautions divorcing parents of adult children to
refrain from saying too much: "Parents of adult children
often expect their kids to be sounding boards or therapists
because they're adults. Children of any age should not be put
in this position."
You may also feel compelled to paint a picture of a "better"
life after the divorce to smooth things over. Don't promise
things that won't or can't happen. If the children ask you something
that you're unsure of - whether or not everyone has to move
out of the family home, for example - let them know you're not
sure and that you'll keep them up-to-date.
Be prepared for all types of reactions
A child's age, gender, and level of understanding will affect
how they react to the news of your impending separation or divorce.
A preschooler may not understand the implications of divorce,
but will certainly notice an absent parent, and may fear complete
abandonment. An adolescent may assign blame to the parent he
or she believes is at fault. Most children feel guilty, but
while a teenager may wonder and ask if he or she is the cause
of the separation, a younger child will assume he or she is
responsible.
Above all, let your children express their feelings about the
separation or divorce, whether it's denial, sadness, or anger.
"Be respectful of and sensitive to your children's emotions,"
advises Deborah. "Quite often, parents want to conclude
that their kids are fine when they're actually quite sad. It's
completely normal for the children to feel sad, so let them
feel free to grieve their loss."
Listen
Most children respond to the news of a separation or divorce
with a lot of questions such as "Why is this happening
to us/me?" or "Why can't we all live together?"
While it's important to listen to their concerns and answer
their questions honestly, it's just as important to listen for
their "hidden" questions and concerns. A child often
won't ask the questions that are really on his or her mind:
"Is it my fault?" "Will you leave me next?"
"Will you always love me?" Children of any age will
need repeated assurances that you love them and won't leave
them. "The message you want to convey again and again is
that it's only the husband and wife relationship that's changing,
not the parent/child relationship," says Michael. "You
can't stress enough that this is an adult problem that the adults
are going to work out, and that you are going to love them no
matter what happens."
Don't use your children as bargaining tools
No parent in the middle of a divorce hasn't thought at least
once of using his or her child to get back at his or her former
spouse. Thoughts of withholding support, refusing visitation,
or just plain dumping on your kids about your ex may give you
moments of pleasure, but ultimately will hurt only your children.
Nor should you force your children to take sides. Do whatever
you can to avoid asking them to give up their loyalty and love
for their other parent, either directly or indirectly. This
includes subtly trying to find out information about your ex's
activities or telling the kids you'd like to buy them new shoes
"but dad's not giving us enough money," for example.
"Trying to co-opt a child's loyalty is very damaging,"
says Stan. "Your children will start to feel responsible
for your problems and try to solve them. Remember that your
kids aren't divorcing your ex: you are."
This article first appeared on April 25, 2000.
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