Thousands of Tennessee couples will get a divorce at some point. The reasons behind the splits may vary, but the result is rarely ever the same. Some couples endure to reach a compromise that benefits both, while others fight.
In the latter situations, children often get stuck in the crossfire. Regardless of age, kids may hear and see things that they should not. Even before the split, the tension in the house between parents can take a real toll on a child’s emotional health, leaving behind doubt, worry and anxiety. Before getting too involved in your divorce, discover some of the things that you should and should not do to keep your children away from the drama.
Tell them about the divorce before you separate
Children are great observers. One of the mistakes many parents may make is trying to shield children from divorce by not telling them about it until after the process starts. Making excuses for why the other spouse is absent may begin to fuel your children’s doubt. The best thing you can do is sit your children down with your spouse and calmly tell them what is happening. This opens the door for honest and open communication between both parents and children for the years to come.
Do not engage in disagreements
One of the most challenging parts about keeping tensions away from children is not engaging in a fight with your spouse. Verbal altercations, no matter how far removed you feel you are from the kids, find a way to bleed their way into the home. If you and your spouse disagree on something, take a breath and remove yourself from the situation. Then, address the topic hours later in the form of an email or even a text message. Giving yourself time to cool down will benefit you and your children greatly
Divorce does not always have to result in chaos and disharmony. Always remember that your children need both parents equally, so do not set the stage for them to choose sides. Shield them from the ugliness so that they may grow up loving both parents evenly.