Divorce/Separation is hard on everyone involved in the family but there are ways to help your teens. By being open with your teens about what is going on in the family without talking negatively about the other parent and answering your teen's questions openly and honestly, it will help your child feel less anxious and confused about the changes taking places. This can be a challenging time and it is important when to know to ask for professional help:
When to ask for help:
- When co-parents cannot agree on parenting decisions
- When the child is reluctant to visit a parent
- When step-family issues are having a negative impact on parenting
- When there is ongoing high conflict between parents regarding the children
- When parents need help with parenting
Remember that listening to your children and putting them above any conflict that you are having with your child's parent is the most important lesson to learn to help your family through this difficult time.
Helpful Resources:
- Putting Children First: Proven Parenting Strategies for Helping Children Thrive Through Divorce
- Joint Custody with a Jerk: Raising a Child with an Uncooperative Ex
- Dealing with Divorce
- Parental Divorce and Adolescence