The
Divorce Process| Impact on
Adults| Impact on
Children| Co-parenting | Evaluation Parents who are going through divorce often believe it is in the best interest of the children to shield them from the stress of the situation.
But regardless of their parents' good intentions, children often find themselves caught in an emotional whirlpool during these times.
Instead of protection, children need support and reassurance. The goal of parenting should be to help children adapt successfully to the divorce.
Successful adaptation to divorce requires that children accept the finality of the parents' breakup. This acceptance is aided by parents'
willingness to discuss with their children, in an age appropriate way, the reasons for the separation and divorce.
It is important that children not entertain fantasies that their parents may reunite. Children must be given the opportunity to
express their painful emotions so that they can feel listened to and cared for. Children may feel guilty or hold themselves responsible
for their parents' divorce, and such feelings can be corrected only when they are brought out in the open.
It is important, too, that children believe that both parents still love them, even if their parents no longer love each other.
Also, children must not feel that loving one parent will jeopardize their place in the affections of the other parent.