Divorce: Impact on Children

Divorce or dissolution of marriage is a legal process that leads to the termination of a marriage.

Most divorcing parents are very concerned about their children‘s reactions to their separation and divorce. They want to know, “Will my child grow up to be healthy and happy?” Sociologists and psychologists are just beginning to provide reliable information about the effects of divorce on children. There are a number of important factors.

Age of children

We know little about the effects of divorce on children younger than two or three years of age. Young children do not always suffer if a divorce occurs. However, problems may occur if a close relationship or bond between a parent and child is broken. Parents should agree on parenting, childcare, and health care arrangements as well as at what age the care should be re-evaluated so the child does not grow up experiencing conflict between his or her parents.

Infants

Infants may not understand conflict, but may react to changes in parent’s energy level and mood. Infants may lose their appetite or have an upset stomach and spit up more.

Preschool children

Children from three to five years of age frequently believe they have caused their parents’ divorce. For example, they might think that if they had eaten their dinner or done their chores when told to do so, Daddy wouldn’t have gone away. Preschoolers may fear being left alone or abandoned altogether. They may show baby-like behavior, such as wanting their security blanket or old toys, or they begin wetting the bed. They may deny that anything has changed, or they may become uncooperative, depressed, or angry. Although they want the security of being near an adult, they may act disobedient and aggressive.

Here is a blog focused specifically on divorce http://typesofdivorce.blogspot.com

Hire a Relationship Coach to help you and your children walk through change such as divorce and the emotional consequences with ease resulting in less emotional baggage being carried over into adulthood.