If you’re getting divorced, you know that the conversation you have with your children can be challenging. You also know that all of your children are different. They may need different levels of support or information, especially depending on their ages. A toddler is going to take the news far differently than a teenager.
As a parent, you certainly want what’s best for your children, so it may lead you to think that you need to have one-on-one conversations to break the news about the divorce. You want to be able to give the child a chance to ask questions and give them the attention that they deserve. Is this what you should do?
Start with a family conversation
You are right to recognize that your children are different and that the approach to this conversation will change a bit from one to the next. But the truth is that it’s often best to start with a family conversation. After that, you can circle back and have one-on-one conversations with each child, giving them more personal attention and time to talk.
But for the first conversation, you and your spouse should address the children together. You want them to know that you both still love them and that you will be a united front as you work to become co-parents.
Additionally, you want to make sure that all the children find out from you, not from a sibling or through the grapevine. Having a family conversation upfront ensures that everyone knows what’s happening, and then you can focus on the specifics with each child.
Preparing for divorce
Dividing child custody is one of the most important parts of divorce. Make sure you know what steps to take as you prepare and move forward.