Although divorce is an accepted part of our culture and is something children are very aware of, when divorce happens in your family, your child is likely to have many questions for you. Anticipating these questions can help you be prepared to answer them.
- Where am I going to live? This may be your child’s first question because children first want to know exactly how the divorce will affect their own lives and routines. Your child needs to understand what to expect in his daily life – is anything going to change, and if so, what. Answering this question allows your child to feel grounded and secure and he will then be able to move on and process the situation and come up with other questions.
- Was it my fault? Although your child may not actually put this question into words, it is one almost every child will worry about. Be sure to address this unasked question when you talk about the divorce. It is essential your child know that he did nothing wrong and did not cause the divorce.
- 3. Why are you mad at each other? What your child really wants to know is why are you getting a divorce and what caused it. While the reasons behind your divorce are likely complex, it is best to come up with an answer to this question that you and your spouse can agree on and stick to, such as we aren’t happy being married to each other or we don’t love each other anymore.
- 4. Why can’t you get back together and try again? Many children simply want their parents to reunite and live together again no matter how impossible this may be. Tell your child you have tried and have made the grown up decision that this is what is best.
Many parents find that visiting a therapist can help a child work through these questions and also help the parents answer them completely and carefully.
Call the Sampair Group to discuss your child custody case. We are located in Maricopa County, Arizona and are ready to work with you. Make an appointment today.