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How can you work with your ex to tell your child about divorce?

On Behalf of | Oct 2, 2020 | Uncontested Divorce |

Texas parents like you doubtlessly want to make divorce as painless as possible for their children. Unfortunately, this is easier said than done. Divorce is a difficult event for everyone involved, even in uncontested divorces.

So, is there any way you can break the news to your kid a little more gently? Can you and your co-parent work together to tell your child about this news in the least harmful way?

Eliminate fear of the unknown

Psychology Today offers some tips for working with a co-parent when it comes to letting your child know about your divorce. Working together with your co-parent as opposed to working against them can do a lot for you. However, they warn that there is no “perfect way” to tell your child about a divorce. Divorce is ultimately a traumatic event and you cannot remove all of the harmful aspects of it.

However, you can dampen the blow. Start by telling your child about the divorce sooner rather than later. Experts state that a fear of the unknown is one of the biggest anxieties children face with divorce. By being as transparent as possible, you can help minimize those fears and make the situation a little easier for them to handle.

Collaborate with your co-parent

Work together with your co-parent to decide exactly what you will tell your child next and when. If you are both on the same page about protecting your child’s best interests and are not arguing or contradicting each other constantly, you can help put your child at ease. This sense of coherency allows them to see that you are still working together, even if your marriage is no the way out.

Finally, make sure you emphasize that this is not your child’s fault throughout the entire process. Let them know you both love them and that this will never change. Having this reassurance can also make acceptance come a little easier.