Insight Health Parents often believe that they are doing their children a favor by not telling them about the difficulties in their own lives. They may share with their children when good things happen, but protect them by leaving out any negative events and news. The result, unfortunately, is not a protected child, but rather a child with a faulty perception of marriage and family life, and a child with a distorted picture of the real world that he or she will ultimately have to face. These are nagging questions that all parents face. One starting point in answering such questions is realizing that your children, even fairly young children, are more in tune with family life than you may realize.
Children usually know when something unpleasant is happening in the family.
They recognize that their mother or father is upset, extra tired, at home more than usual, or acting in unusual ways. And unless the children know something about the reason for their parents' behavior, it's possible they'll take on some of the responsibility and guilt, believing it's something that they've done to cause the problem. Parents can help their children develop in a healthy manner by letting them know that adult life is not all fun and games. While it is not necessary to burden children with all the sordid details of problem relationships, bad work environments, or the loss of a job, don't try to keep the kids uninformed when what is happening is having an impact on their lives. Please know that if I get a little extra grouchy or if you see me crying, that it's not your fault.