Relationships Quick Answers
How can we help children adjust when one parent wants the divorce and the other does not?
Regardless of the specific divorce situation, what
children need most is supportive relationships with
their parent(s). If the parents are well-adjusted, this
will be very beneficial to the child's adjustment during
this process. Also, having an ongoing, supportive
relationship with another adult, such as a teacher,
coach, or relative, can help children adjust to divorce.
What this means is that divorcing parents can best
help their child by giving their child lots of love and
affection, and providing consistent rules and positive
discipline. Parents can also help children by keeping
predictable routines, staying involved in their child’s
life, providing child support, and taking care of their
own mental and physical health.
Some resources for further information are:
Helping Children Understand Divorce:
http://extension.missouri.edu/explore/hesguide/humanrel/gh6600.htm
Books about Divorce and Stepfamilies for Adults and
Kids
http://missourifamilies.org/features/divorcearticles/divorcefeature10.htm
What Parents Can Do to Help Young Children Adjust to Divorce
http://missourifamilies.org/features/divorcearticles/divorcefeature21.htm
Kim Leon, Ph.D., Former Assistant Professor and State Specialist, Human Development & Family Studies, Human Environmental Sciences, University of Missouri Extension
Alison Levitch, Human Development & Family Studies Graduate Student, Human Environmental Sciences, University of Missouri Extension
Can't Find Your Question Here? Try Searching Our Quick Answer Knowledge Base
Last update: Thursday, August 21, 2008
 |
Site Administrator: |
|
|
|
