To help with understanding why parents might split and why it is not related to dislike of the children involved
The first thing to remember is that you are not alone. Thousands of children experience the stress of divorce each year. How they react depends on their age, personality, and the circumstances of the separation and divorce process.
Every divorce will affect the children involved — and many times the initial reaction is one of shock, sadness, frustration, anger, or worry.
But children also can come out of it better able to cope with stress, and will become more flexible, tolerant young adults.
If you are a child wanting someone to talk to or a parent trying to understand what your child is going through then have a look at the resources listed below.
Websites Offering Support:
National Family Mediation
If your parents are splitting up you’ll want to know how it will affect you, and what you can do about it. Meeting with a family mediator is an option.
Books on this subject:
When my Parents Forgot to be Friends
Young children become confused and hurt when their parents constantly argue, then decide to divorce. This sensitively written book assures boys and girls that children are in no way responsible for their parents’ inability to get along together. It lets kids know that although one parent chooses to move away from the home, both parents continue to love their little boy or girl. Both Mom and Dad will continue to spend happy times with them. Even very young children have concerns and anxieties, and Let’s Talk About It! books are written and illustrated especially for them.
What in the World Do You Do When Your Parents Divorce?
is a simple question-and-answer format to help children cope with divorce by explaining answers to questions such as what is divorce?, why parents divorce?, how to adjust to new living arrangements?, how to handle feelings? The authors aim is to help children realise that divorce isn’t their fault, emotions are okay, and families can survive such difficult changes.
Weekends with Dad – What to Expect When Your Parents Divorce
When your parents divorce, it can feel like the world turns upside down. What do you do? Whether you live mostly at your mom’s or dad’s, this story can help you through the tough times.
Mom’s House, Dad’s House for Kids: Feeling at Home in One Home or Two
is a guide for kids on how to stay strong and succeed in life when parents separate, divorce, or get married again. Kids will learn how to:
– Deal with parents living apart, schedules, and dueling house rules
– Settle comfortably in one home or two
– Stay out of the “miserable middle” when parents fight
– Manage stress, guilt, change, fear, and other feelings
– Stay connected with parents, relatives, and the “right” friends
– Appreciate the gifts (and deal with the gripes) of their new version of family
– Feel better FAST!
Kids can’t get their parents back together, but they can help themselves get stronger and go on to succeed in life. This book shows them how.
Its Not Your Fault Koko Bear
revolves around a lovable bear who doesn’t want to have two homes. KoKo’s experience will help children learn what divorce means, how family life will change, and understand that the divorce is not their fault.
It’s Not the End of the World
Karen’s parents have always argued, and lately they’ve been getting worse. But when her father announces that they’re going to get divorced, it seems as if Karen’s whole world will fall apart. Her brother, Jeff, blames their mum. Her kid sister, Amy, asks impossible questions and is scared that everyone she loves is going to leave. Karen just wants her parents to get back together. Gradually, she learns that this isn’t going to happen – and realizes that divorce is not the end of the world.
Cool
is about a boy called Robbie, who is in a coma after being hit by a car that was about to run over Lucky, his dog. The book is written as if we are inside his head and can hear what he is able to hear and his thoughts about his family. This includes learning why his parents are separated. Nobody is able to wake him up until Dad breaks all hospital rules and brings Lucky in.
