One thing should be clear about divorce, and that’s the fact that it can have a negative psychological effect on children. Even if the divorce itself is relatively calm and collected, children may still suffer from the changes that they face. They have a lot of emotions to process, and they may need support to bounce back.
Divorces are stressful for all children, but some bounce back faster than others. Why? It all comes down to handling the psychological effects that are having a negative effect on the child.
Parents should provide the most support immediately following the divorce
For around the first year following a divorce, it’s normal to see your kids struggling. Some might be distressed, and others might be angry or develop anxiety. Many kids experience changes in their routines, but over time, they’ll get used to new routines and start to settle back into normal daily life.
Every situation is unique, but it’s important for parents to provide the most support in the year following the divorce. This support might include trips to a psychologist or therapist, spending additional time with their children or simply making sure that your child gets enough attention from both parents.
Divorces do generally mean that your children won’t get the same amount of time with each of their parents. That decrease in contact does hurt the parent-child bond, so it’s important to do what you can to encourage regular visits with both parents when it’s appropriate.
Your attorney will talk to you more about making this an easier transition for your child and help with negotiating a child custody plan that works for you.