Canadian Center for Counselling and Psychotherapy

What Impact Does Divorce Have on Children?

Children are usually the most affected by divorces. Divorce has emotional and psychological implications on children. They may undergo brief periods of sadness, confusion, anger, or even guilt depending on how well they understand the reasons for the changes in their family’s order. The sense of stability they once had may feel shattered, which may result in adjustment issues due to new custody or visitation arrangements. Parents need to acknowledge the effects to maintain effectiveness in the delicate process of child rearing.

What to Expect from a Child Going Through Divorce?

Depending on their age and personality, each child will react differently to a separation. For example, younger children may exhibit regressive behaviors, up to and including bedwetting, but older children may appear sullen and withdraw or act out in aggression. Conflicted feelings about divorce are typical among children, including love for both parents, nor wanting to be stuck in the middle of their parents’ arguments. Their denial, anger, and other tendencies may give way to a calmer demeanor, but parents should be ready to give healthy reassurance and support anytime these responses may be evoked.

How to Respond?

It is necessary to hear the child out and acknowledge the feeling when addressing a child’s emotional distress due to the divorce of their parents. Ask them what are the feelings and needs they have instead? Explaining things about the divorce as best as one can to the child will most likely clarify things. A reassuring environment comprising constant love and reassurance will help the child feel safe in the face of the new changes.

How Could Mental Health Assistance Be of Help?

Information and assistance about mental health can be useful for children undergoing parental divorce. They can get into mental health counselling where they will be able to express their feelings and learn how to deal with them. Individual and family counseling seeks to alleviate the distress affecting the family through divorce by providing a means for family members to learn better ways of communicating and healing. Look for counselling in canada or counsellors near you to support the children to get throught the challenging times of divorce.



 




Frequently Asked Questions on online counselling for Supporting Children Through Divorce

Children go through a range of emotions when their parents are divorcing, including sadness, anger, confusion, and anxiety. They may also feel guilty or concerned about how the divorce will impact their lives and relationships with their parents.

Give them a stable and nurturing environment. Children are made to feel loved and included at all times; open lines of communication is maintained while keeping them apprised of the parent's own fears and reassured about how much the parents would still love them. Children adapt to constant routines to a certain degree.

This reaction is so common due to the fact that the children cannot put their words into feelings. As such, the child will tend to act out through tantrums or withdrawal and changes in performance at school. These are behaviors that call for being addressed with compassion and support.

Yes, open honest conversations of the divorce may help to process the emotions of your child. Hold the discussions according to the age or maturity level and encourage asking questions or sharing any thoughts.

If your child is significantly struggling with their emotions, shows prolonged sadness, or appears distressed, professional help like mental health counselling may be the best course of action. They can offer coping strategies and support specific to your child's needs.

Individual and family counseling can encourage communication between the members of a family. All people are capable of expressing emotions and overcoming the conflict together. In addition, it provides them with co-parenting tips and ways of improving relations in the family.

Don't blame the other parent or bring up adult issues related to the divorce. That will burden your child. Just remember to assure him or her that both of you love your child very much.

Discuss the changes with your child and express the same positively. If applicable, take a visit to the new school to make them feel more relaxed. Encourage activities of this sort that will make the child feel comfortable with others around.