Nothing is easy about family separation. When you choose to separate from your spouse, you experience a wide range of emotions, but as an adult, you have coping mechanisms.
However, your children do not have methods to effectively deal with these changes in their lives. Therefore, these are a few tips to help you make the transition easier.
Watch what you say
As a parent, you understand that children hear much more than you think they will. Therefore, avoid speaking negatively about your former spouse anywhere near your children. Also, avoid speaking harshly or arguing with your co-parent. In addition, using your children as a messenger can impact them emotionally.
Instead, speak positively about your former spouse. Encourage your children to talk about their time spent with their other parent and any other topics they choose. Consider the best interests of your children.
Devote extra time to your children
When you are emotionally struggling, you may have a tendency to pull away from other individuals, but do not do so with your children. They are struggling too, and they need extra support. Therefore, avoid changing their routine where you can, and make the effort to spend extra time with them. Also, encourage them to spend more time with your former spouse.
If you have to change your routine, e.g., you have to go back to work or you no longer live in the family home, sit down with your children and talk about it. Make sure they understand and are as comfortable as possible with the new arrangement.
As a parent, your job is to protect your children as much as possible from the challenges of life. Therefore, spend time taking care of yourself, so you have the energy and emotional health to give them extra care.
