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. Children often have intense anger and express their anger at one or both parents. Some children become overly stern and righteous, while others may indulge in petty stealing and lying. Young children move between extremes of feeling helpless and of taking total responsibility for the divorce.