Divorce, like marriage, is one of the most difficult decisions in life. A good divorce is better for children than a bad marriage. Divorce creates great stress for children, regardless of their age.

It is very important for families to be aware of the impact divorce will have on their children.

Many young children often experience regressions in their behavior, frequently to the point of exhibiting infantile movements, and may abandon many skills they recently learned.

For example, they may give up toilet training.

Children may believe they caused the divorce and therefore develop guilt.

Depression, anxiety, schizophrenia, behavioral disorders, and personality disorders may emerge;

 

They may experience problems with eating and sleeping, and may complain of various ailments as if they have a physical illness.

Some children become very quiet and withdrawn, while others express their difficulties at school through learning difficulties;

They may get into arguments with teachers or fight with their peers.

In an emotionally supportive and honest environment, and with support, children can thrive even under the stress of family breakdown.

It would be very beneficial for parents to sit down with their children and talk about what will happen to the family, explaining the situation.

This conversation should ideally take place before any changes are made to the marriage. Every day, using simple and clear language, it should be emphasized to the children that one parent needs to leave the home, but that this is not the fault of any of the children.

Instead of giving long, detailed explanations, explain how the divorce will affect the children and answer their questions.

Another important point to emphasize is that you should explain to your children that their parents will not change even if they divorce, and that your love will continue.

It is the greatest harm that can be done to children if one parent tries to win them over to their side while denigrating the other.

One parent should not make accusatory statements about the other in front of the children. “Your father is a very bad father,” or “Your mother is the reason this marriage is failing,” and so on…

 

It is also important not to forget the significant roles of grandparents in kinship. Maintaining communication with them after a divorce is crucial for the children. The most important thing for children is not being forgotten. Divorced parents should consider this important need of their children and remind them that their interest in their grandchildren should not change.

Another very important issue after a divorce is who will legally assume the care of the children.

It has been observed that children placed in the joint care of both parents by court order after a divorce have longer and healthier relationships with their fathers.

Children should not bring any problems they experience with their fathers to their mothers; they should resolve them together with their fathers.

Parents should be careful not to use their children to satisfy their own egos.