Chances are you never planned to have a divorce conversation with your children. However, if you and your spouse have decided to go your separate ways, you need to tell them about it, lest they figure it out by themselves. But when is the right time to do this?
Here is what you should know:
Sooner rather than later
It helps to inform your children about the divorce sooner, that is, before one of you moves out. If you and your spouse have decided to remain in the family home for a more extended period before filing, you may not need to inform them about the divorce. However, if you have decided to file within the next few months, you should have the discussion.
Additionally, only have the conversation when you are sure about the divorce. Changing your mind about the divorce after informing your children can be confusing.
During the day
When you inform your kids about the divorce, they will have concerns. You should spend quality time with them answering questions and examining their response to the news. Thus, it may not be best to have the conversation just before bedtime.
Don’t do it around holidays or birthdays
Holidays and birthdays are recurring events. If you tell your kids about the divorce around an event, they may be triggered every time it happens. You may have heard of people who dislike certain holidays because it reminds them of a painful experience. It will be best to wait until special days pass, if it’s possible, to have the conversation.
You need to be extra careful when going through a divorce with children. It will also be best to get adequate information to protect your parental rights.