Children & Divorce

As a parent considering divorce, you are probably concerned about your children. Research indicates that most children survive their parents’ divorce without long-term, negative consequences.

But because it has been shown that high conflict is damaging to children, one of the best things that you can do for your children is to choose a divorce process that will minimize the conflict between you and your spouse.

The following will help your children make a healthy adjustment to divorce:

• Regular and consistent quality time with each parent.
• A healthy parent-child relationship and a secure attachment with each parent.
• Protecting children from conflict.
• Positive parenting with love, good communication and age-appropriate limits.
• Outside support for the children. This could include friends, teachers, neighborhood and community support, grandparents and other relatives.
• Help children develop the social skills and self-esteem that serve as a buffer when dealing with problems.

For a wealth of articles on divorce and parenting go to www.socialworker.com.