On behalf of Cooper & Tanis, P.C. posted in divorce on Tuesday, February 2, 2016.

When young children learn that their parents are getting a divorce, it can be a difficult moment to experience. However, there are some things that parents can do to make the process easier. First, it is important to let the child know that it is not his or her fault that the divorce is occurring. Otherwise, children may come up with a variety of reasons why they were the cause of the split.

Parents also need to reassure their child that they are still loved. If a child thinks that he or she is the reason for the divorce, it stands to reason that their parents don’t love them. Unless a parent says otherwise, a child may feel guilty and unloved after a split. However, children don’t want their parents telling them how to feel after their parents split. That is something they need to figure out themselves.

After a breakup, parents should refrain from saying bad things about each other. It makes the parent look bad and the child feel bad about who he or she is. Finally, parents should not make children their ambassadors to the other parent. If there is anything that needs to be discussed, the parents need to do so on their own.

Parents who are going through a divorce may wish to work toward a settlement together for the sake of their children. In many cases, contesting matters in a courtroom setting can spill over onto the children, making the process even more difficult for them. A family law attorney can often be of assistance to a divorcing parent in negotiating a comprehensive settlement agreement that addresses the applicable issues and which can be submitted to the court for its approval.