Divorce can disrupt a child's development. Children may cling, whine and have tantrums when left at child care. When a parent returns, the child may greet the parent with tears or crankiness. Anxiety about abandonment is still common. It may be expressed through overeating, begging for gifts, or fantasies about special treats or vacations.
Children often regress for weeks or months.
They may return to the comfort of security blankets or outgrown toys or have lapses in toilet training. School work often suffers. Friendships deteriorate as children focus inward. Some children become more irritable and engage in fighting while others show an increased fear of aggression and of being hurt. Anger is often directed at the custodial parent and other children.