Breaking the news: How to talk to your kids about divorce

Breaking the news: How to talk to your kids about divorce

On behalf of Mohajer Law Firm, APC posted in blog on Wednesday, December 13, 2017.

Divorce is a very difficult thing to face. Not only do you have to deal with ending your marriage, but you have to make certain decisions, such as whether to keep or sell your home in Arcadia. Another hard part of the process is telling your children that you and their father have decided to split up.

Having the divorce conversation with your children is, more than likely, something you do not want to do. Furthermore, you might not even be sure how to do it. For some tips on how to break the news to your school-age children, read further.

Timing matters

Telling your children about your impending divorce is going to take some tact and planning. In other words, you should not hand them their school lunch along with the news that their father is moving out of the house. Unfortunately, there is never going to be a truly good time to have this conversation.

However, before they leave for school or you leave for work is definitely not the right time. Try to plan for a day when neither you nor your children have any scheduled activities. They are going to need sufficient time to process the information and ask questions. Be sure you have the time to be there.

Do it together

While you may not want to spend additional time breathing the same air as your ex, you need to accept the fact that you will still have to work together for your children. This includes being together when you break the news. By making it a family conversation, you allow your children to retain their trust in both of you.

Stick to the basics

Your children do not need to know all the details or the causes for your decision. Keep it simple, stick to the facts and leave the blame out of it. Explain to them that the divorce is not their fault, that you both still love them and that, for the time being, their lives will not alter too much. If you do not have plans to move away, reassure your children that they will still go to the same school and have the same friends. A sense of security is important when such a big change is on the way.

If you are considering divorce, you may be at loss as to how to tell your children. The above tips can help you get through the conversation.