When you get into a divorce, you have many hurdles ahead of you. As a parent, one of the most notable is the initial hurdle of breaking news of the divorce to your child.
Many people have varying opinions on the best way to do this while minimizing the damage your child will suffer. But which way is the right way? Is there any one true “right way” to break the news of divorce in the first place? The short answer is: no.
Collecting advice
Psychology Today discusses ways you can tell your child about the upcoming split. You can solicit advice from other peers who have already gone through a divorce. You can also read up on articles by professionals, such as people who work in mental health care and child psychologists.
Tailoring your approach
But in the end, what you choose to do boils down to your own unique situation. Divorce advice is not a one-size-fits-all cure for the hurdles you will face. You must take various factors into consideration when making your choice, such as:
- The age and maturity level of your child
- How they tend to react to bad news
- Your current life and familial circumstances
- Your child’s developmental stage
Depending on such factors, you should take the advice you get and tailor it. Feel free to use a combination of everything, from anecdotes peers share to professional papers produced with the intention of helping children at large get through divorce.
Once you come up with an option that works for you, tailor it as you go, too. If you notice your child reacting badly to something, do not be afraid to try out another angle.
