Divorce and Separation

A Child's StoryThis story was written by a young girl here in Maine named Olivia when she was only 8 years old. She worked with a counselor to help her get through some of the most difficult parts of her parents'...

Children's Books About Divorce by Age GroupTalking to your children about divorce isn't easy. Here is a list of age-appropriate children's books about divorce to help engage your kids in conversation.

A Teen's VideoFilmed by Jonny Asen and Nick Miller

Dealing With Divorce | Sesame Street in CommunitiesSeparation or divorce mean lots of changes, but love, comfort, and care can help children adjust and cope.

www.caringforkids.cps.ca/handouts/separation_and_divorce

Helping Children and Families Deal With Divorce and SeparationFor the past several years in the United States, there have been more than 800 000 divorces and parent separations annually, with over 1 million children affected. Children and their parents can experience emotional trauma before, during, and after a separation or divorce. Pediatricians can be aware of their patients’ behavior and parental attitudes and behaviors that may indicate family dysfunction and that can indicate need for intervention. Age-appropriate explanation and counseling for the child and advice and guidance for the parents, as well as recommendation of reading material, may help reduce the potential negative effects of divorce. Often, referral to professionals with expertise in the social, emotional, and legal aspects of the separation and its aftermath may be helpful for these families.

Adjusting to DivorceHow much a divorce will affect your child's life depends largely on how you and your spouse treat each other before, during, and after the divorce. Parents must work together to make the transition as easy as possible.

How to Support Children after Their Parents Separate or DivorceAll parents consider their children's well-being a top priority, and it is often the foremost thought on parents' minds as they separate. Parents who are sensitive to children's needs and can set aside their differences and collaborate on behalf of their children are more likely to have children who thrive despite parental separation.

How to Talk to Your Children about DivorceChildren at varied developmental levels naturally have a different understanding of divorce, the reasons for it, and what the future will bring. Parents will therefore need to tailor discussions according to their children's maturity.

Divorce: Taking Care of YourselfDivorce can be extremely painful and stressful for parents. How you adjust emotionally to divorce plays a role in how well your children will adjust.

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