One of the greatest challenges divorced parents face is adequately meeting their children’s needs during and after the divorce. While most parents pay lip service to focusing on the well-being of the children, sadly that’s not always the case.
Divorcing and divorced parents can become overwhelmed by the emotional upheaval they are experiencing, especially if they don’t choose a positive divorce platform. After marinating in the anger, hurt, resentment, guilt, shame, blame and other conflicting emotions for so long, some lose their capacity to empathize with what their children are going through – or they just stop caring. Other parents need parenting themselves and don’t have the ability to put their own needs aside to address the turmoil they see in their children.
More than ever before co-parents need to feel and show compassion for their children who are often frightened, confused, guilty, angry, ashamed or resentful themselves. Putting yourself in your children’s shoes, and seeing the divorce from their perspective – as a four, ten or fifteen year old – is a vital place to start.
There are two crucial needs your child has before, during and long after the divorce takes place. If you meet these needs you are giving your child a gift that will help them not only survive – but really thrive, despite the divorce.
1) Let your children love and be emotionally close to both parents.
Children do best when both of their parents are in their lives expressing love, acceptance and support. Divorce doesn’t have to change the love they receive and feel from their parents – if both are allowed to express that love freely.
When parents get resentful or jealous of one another, they often play games with the kids making them choose whom they love more or prefer to be with. These parents are setting those children up for heartbreak, disappointment and emotional wounds that can last a lifetime.
Regardless of your personal perceptions, never make your child feel bad for loving their other parent. It tears them apart and deprives them of the love they have a right to enjoy from both parents. Loving your Ex doesn’t mean they don’t love you or care about your feelings. Don’t make them have to choose between you.
2) Let your children be loved by both parents.
Showing your children how much you love and treasure them is especially important during difficult times such as a divorce. But depriving them of the love from their other parent is emotional torture for a child who innately loves you both.
You may find your Ex to be a poor parent and a despicable spouse who is unworthy of your child’s love. But in the eyes of your child that’s their mom or dad – someone who loves them and wants to express it – even if you don’t always approve of their approach.
Badmouthing your Ex to the children or others around them, keeping them from scheduled dates and visitations, not inviting the other parent to children’s special events are all forms of parental alienation. It’s selfish, mean-spirited and a poor way to role model mature, effective parenting. Equally significant, your child is likely to turn on you with anger when they grow up, resenting your comments, behavior, and hurtful approach to parenting. Why take that risk?
Life is far easier for divorced parents who give their children these two precious gifts: the freedom to love both parents and the freedom to feel loved by both parents as well.
All children deserve to love and be loved. Be the role model they will learn from and respect by sharing the wisdom and compassion that come with these valuable life lessons.
Note: To commemorate International Child-Centered Divorce Month in January, divorce experts worldwide are providing complimentary ebooks, audio programs, coaching services and other gifts to support families coping with divorce. Download these valuable resources for free at www.divorcedparentsupport.com/
About the Author: Rosalind Sedacca, CDC, is a Divorce & Parenting Coach, Founder of the Child-Centered Divorce Network and author of How Do I Tell the Kids about the Divorce? A Create-a-Storybook Guide to Preparing Your Children — with Love! For her free ebook on Post-Divorce Parenting: Success Strategies for Getting It Right as well as her coaching services and other valuable resources about divorce and parenting issues, visit www.childcentereddivorce.com.
