Guiding your child through your divorce in Georgia can bring challenges you never anticipated dealing with. However, with your ability to remain calm, you can help your child to accentuate the positive in life and continue to thrive despite familial changes.
One aspect of divorce that will require some getting used to is joint custody. It will take time for your child to adjust to splitting time between you and your spouse.
The benefit of listening
One of the best things you can do is to listen to your child. He or she most likely has many concerns about how your divorce will affect family life, friendships and education. While you will be doing your own processing, set aside time to talk with your child and feel his or her emotions. Validate feelings. Encourage processing. Implement strategies to facilitate healthy and productive ways of coping. Parents also suggests asking your child for input when developing a custody arrangement.
If you feel ill-equipped or unprepared to address all of your child’s concerns, you may consider having your child work with a therapist. This resource will allow your child to talk about feelings and concerns in a safe and controlled environment. Therapists also have the education and resources to help your child strengthen his or her communication, as well as other skills that will support healing and understanding.
The power of example
Your example will play an instrumental role in your child’s life. Often, he or she will mirror your behavior and reaction to aspects of your divorce. Choosing to look toward the future with optimism and anticipation, setting new goals and practicing gratitude are all ways that you can minimize negativity and hopelessness.