For Texas parents and their children alike, divorce can be a stressful experience. However, research shows that parents will need to process and understand their own emotions before they can be there for their children. It is common for kids to show signs of anxiety or blame themselves for the divorce. They may also start to act out and perform poorly in school.
How a child reacts to a divorce and how a parent should engage the child about it depends on a number of factors. Two important factors are the age of the child when the divorce takes place and the circumstances surrounding the divorce itself. Those who study the issue say that parents should reassure their children that they are loved no matter what, which could help reassure them after the divorce.
Parents are also advised to seek help to get a better handle of their emotions as well as to seek help for their children if needed. It may also be a good idea to keep a child on a routine, which may help to maintain a sense of normalcy in his or her life. As a general rule, the first year after a divorce is the hardest with most issues being resolved by the third year after the separation.
As emotions may be high during a divorce, it may be a good idea to talk to an attorney if there are concerns about child custody. While courts will base their decisions on the best interests of the child, in some cases the parents can negotiate an agreement on their own that contains provisions that are flexible in the event that circumstances change.