Therefore, the more alienated or estranged they feel from a parent, the more conflicted they will feel. Children are heartbroken when their parents resent each other. Children are torn apart when asked to favor one parent over the other. Children think it is their fault when parents divorce in constant conflict. Children feel lost in the chaos of divorcing parents.
Children often feel used by hostile or righteous parents.
Children feel angry when their voices are not heard during the break up of the family. Children feel extreme anxiety when their security needs are not addressed in the divorce process. Children feel threatened when the primary focus is on proving that the other parent is incompetent, irresponsible and out of control. Children feel ignored and neglected when constant arguing and yelling in the home reaches a high level. Children feel that they need to protect which ever parent they perceive asthe weakest or most hurt.