Children often see their entire worlds change after their parents divorce and move into separate homes. This can be especially hard on their day-to-day lives. Many parents don’t want to see their children saddened by these changes.
These same parents may look for different ways they can help their children cope during and after divorce. Here are a few things you can look at doing with your children:
Spend more one-on-one time
After divorce, you may have more personal time to spend with your children. You could spend this time doing activities that keep your children’s minds off the divorce.
For example, you could take them to a seasonal festival that has fireworks and live music. Or, you could make daily trips to a museum or park. This time you spend with your children can be memorable and remind your children that you’re there for them.
Ask them questions about their day
One of the smallest, yet possibly more important things you can do for your children is ask them how their day is. How they respond may be a key to how they are processing the divorce. Your children may mention how they feel about life after the divorce. Or, they may talk fondly about school, for example, which could indicate they’re processing the change in a healthy manner.
Remain neutral with their other parent
Many parents focus on what they can directly do with their children to improve their mood. But, parents can also work with their children’s other parents in a way that’s good for everyone. Parents don’t need to be friends with their children’s other parents, but they can try to keep things neutral. This can mean that nothing bad is said about either parent and daily schedules are made to fit what works for each parent.
When caring for your children after a divorce, it may help reach out for legal help and exercise your rights as a parent.
