Divorce is a difficult thing to experience in Indiana, or any other part of the country, and it can be especially more challenging when you have children. To help them through the process, here’s a look at how you should handle telling them about the divorce or separation in the right way.

HAVE A PLAN ON HOW TO BROACH THE TOPIC

It’s a good idea to have a conversation with your spouse first about how you will tell the kids about your split. Have a sit-down and come up with a plan on how you are going to break the news to them. This will help ensure you are on the same page and know what needs to be said when the time comes.

REASSURE YOUR CHILDREN THAT THEY ARE NOT AT FAULT

It is common for children of all ages to blame themselves when their parents get divorced or separated. They may think that if they had been better behaved or done something differently, their parents would still be together. It is important to reassure your children that they are not at fault for the divorce and that nothing they did cause it to happen.

AVOID BLAMING YOUR EX

Badmouthing the other parent will only make matters worse for your kids. For one, children need to have a good relationship with their parents to thrive regardless of their parent’s situation. Painting the other parent as bad will hurt their feeling, putting them in an awkward position to choose sides. Moreover, when the family law court gets wind of this, you might jeopardize your custodial rights as a parent.

Telling your children that you are getting a divorce is never easy, but you might have a better shot with patience, openness, and the right approach. During the process, invite any questions that your child may ask, but it’ll be helpful for you to keep them out of the legal and financial aspects. Also, remember that they might need some time to adjust to the news or express themselves about your divorce.