After making the decision to divorce your spouse, you will have to embark on some difficult conversations as you begin informing those closest to you. If you have children, one of the most challenging conversations you will have will happen when you break the news to them. To ensure they cope as best as they can with this news, you and your spouse should collaborate on how you plan to deliver it.
Breaking the News to Your Children
You and your spouse should plan to tell your children about the divorce together. Working together on anything during such a tumultuous time probably seems like an insurmountable task, but it will provide a sense of security for your children and ensure that although you will no longer be together as a couple, you will still be their parents.
When you choose to tell your children about your divorce is also just as important as how you deliver the news. Generally, it is best to tell them when they will have enough time to thoroughly process the information and ask follow-up questions. For example, telling them after school on a Friday will give them an entire weekend to mull it over. However, if you tell them about the divorce before bedtime or before dropping them off at school, it will likely leave them feeling confused and anxious about the future.
Here are some other tips that will help you plan for this conversation:
- Let them know that nothing about this situation will change the fact that you and your spouse love them very much.
- Explain that this decision was not impacted by anything they did and make sure they understand that they could not have prevented it.
- Do not try to blame the divorce on each other. Your children do not need to see either of you pointing fingers at each other.
- If you have any information that can lessen their anxieties, provide it. For example, if you or your spouse is moving out, let them know when and where.
Divorce is difficult for children to cope with, but with your help, they can et through it. They might not know what questions to ask right away, so continue to be available to them as you move forward with the process.
Discuss the Details of Your Divorce Case with a Knowledgeable Legal Professional
If you are getting a divorce, you will need an experienced legal advocate on your side to advise and guide you through it. At Empire Law, our family law team is committed to helping clients navigate this challenging and emotional experience, so they can start a new chapter in life.
Call our law office today at (914) 752-5333 to set up a free initial case evaluation with a member of our legal team.
