Welcome back and thanks for joining us again for the wrap up of this discussion on how divorce can be more traumatic for children at certain ages. As we discussed in the previous article, children seem to be most affected by their parent’s divorce between the ages of 2 and 12. However, there are certain situations where this is more common than others, and also thing you can do to offset the difficulties for your child. Let’s take a look.
High conflict divorces are usually much worse for kids!
Divorces with a lot of conflict and fighting can make the trauma even worse for children. Situations where one parent bad-mouths the other one, or the parents fight in front of the children, makes the divorce even more stressful for children in that age bracket.Our divorce lawyers in Oakland County see this almost every day. In some cases the fighting can be so bad that the divorce is almost a relief for the child. However in most situations, the fighting alone can make the divorce that much more difficult for them to process.
The sudden loss of a parent also makes it harder
Another aspect of divorce that can make it so much harder for elementary age kids to handle, is when one parent is suddenly cut off from the kids. When one parent moves out and hardly visits, or is not allowed to see the children because the other parent is feeling vindictive, the children suffer. And for kids who are at that vulnerable age, when they struggle to understand what is happening and feel the loss of a parent keenly, this can make it even harder for them to work through the pain.
What can parents do to minimize the damage to their children?
Child psychologist Dr. Scott Carroll, who was interviewed for an article in fatherly.com on this subject, says that teens are often capable of the critical thinking needed to understand the reasons behind a divorce, without internalizing it. So perhaps waiting until your children are a little older and less likely to be traumatized is an option to consider. If waiting isn’t an option, consider getting your young child additional support, like therapy or counselling, during and after the divorce to ensure that they have the help they need. We have some excellent resources and counselors in Southeast Michigan to assist kids through this traumatic time.
How you handle your divorce can make a difference for your kids
You can’t control everything – no one can. However, there are certain things you can do that will go a long way towards minimizing the stress your child experiences during this process. One of those things is getting a really good divorce attorney who can help you figure out the best parenting time and custody schedules for your family, and make sure that your kids have what they need to thrive. We understand that in the end, most parents only want what’s best for the children.
So make sure you get the best divorce lawyers for the job!
At The Kronzek Firm, our skilled family law attorneys have decades of experience helping people all over southeast Michigan to manage their divorces and custody battles. As parents ourselves, we understand how challenging this can be. It’s hard and there’s no denying that. So call our Farmington Hills office at 248 479-6200, and get the right help today. We’re available for crisis intervention and consultation 24/7 in our Farmington Hills office.