Parents can help by anticipating how their children will respond and by minimizing the stress. Most divorces involve children. Parents struggling with the stress and conflict of an impending divorce may have a hard time helping their children cope. Parents can help by anticipating how their children will respond and by minimizing the stress.
Children have a variety of responses to a divorce or separation.
Here are some common ones to expect. Younger children often return to outgrown behavior such as whining, crying, bedwetting, or becoming more aggressive and demanding. They may feel deprived and want new possessions. Also common is doing everything they can to bring about a reconciliation between the divorcing parents. Older children may be especially angry with the parent who initiated the divorce.