On behalf of Gary Kirk of Kirk Montoute Dawson LLP posted in Family Law on Monday, December 19, 2016.
One of the reasons to get a divorce is the belief that it’s what is needed to move on from a less than ideal situation and be happy. For children, however, it may be difficult to understand that a divorce can make things better. A recently released report offers suggestions on how Alberta men and women may be able to help their children cope with their parents’ separation. The support of the family law process may be helpful toward that end.
The report comes from the American Academy of Pediatricians, and was released Nov. 28. In the publication, it is revealed that children react to divorce in different ways, depending on their age, or the stage of their development. How the parents interact with each other, other adults and with the children also comes into play.
The authors of the report recommend parents discuss their child’s reactions with a pediatrician. Pediatricians are trained and experienced with children’s emotions, and can help parents to understand what their kids are going through. They can also offer advice on how best to support children during and after a divorce.
Changes in routines can be highly disruptive for children. These changes can include custody and living arrangements, changes in schools and with whom they see their parents interacting. It is recommended that parents speak openly with their children, and answer their questions as honestly as possible to help them understand what’s going on. Above all, kids need to know they are not the reason for the divorce.
A divorce is never an easy event to endure. By taking advantage of the family law process, and working together to make decisions, it may be possible to get though with a minimum of suffering. An experienced and understanding associate of an Alberta family law firm may be able to help make plans for a better future for the client and his or her children.
Source: medpagetoday.com, “AAP: Docs Can Help Kids Cope With Divorce“, Alexandria Bachert, Nov. 28, 2016
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