Divorce is a difficult time for anyone involved, especially children and teenagers. They struggle the most because they are not the ones choosing the divorce, and changes can be challenging for kids to process and accept.
If you recognize that your teenager is showing signs that they are struggling with the divorce, whether at home or school, there are things you can do to help them.
Communication
Be as open and communicative as possible with your teen. They want to know what’s happening, and not knowing may be painful and scary. Uncertainty can feel uncomfortable, especially at an age where they are already struggling with physical and emotional changes.
Validate
When your teen talks with you about their feelings, validate them. It is easy to become defensive if your teen is acting out and saying things that might upset you. However, your child needs to feel that someone believes them and how they feel.
Routines
Try to keep routines as much as possible and minimize the number of changes your teen will have to go through. Changes are hard on kids because they thrive on routine and stability, and divorce often shakes their world.
Everyone, including teenagers, reacts differently to divorce. Knowing, accepting, and supporting your teenager in the ways they need is essential. If you need additional help, contact a professional. Your teen may benefit from attending therapy and having someone to talk to as they process this difficult time.
Lastly, your attorney can provide you with information and resources to help you navigate this aspect of parenting.