You’ve recently decided to divorce your spouse. This is a big moment that could change your life for the better. It’s also going to change your children’s lives – once they learn the news.
If not now, your children will learn about your divorce by the end of the process. It can help to talk about the divorce to your children early so that they can process and prepare for the changes to come.
Of course, timing is everything when talking to your children. So, when is the right time to talk to your children? Here’s what you should know:
Wait until you know what will happen after the divorce
You may not want to spring the news to your kids about your divorce too early. If your divorce is still unfolding, you may have no idea how it’s going to end.
For instance, you may not know yet if your children will live with you or your spouse or share physical custody. Or, you may need to figure out if you’re keeping the home your children grew up in or if it’s being sold.
If you don’t know what’s going to happen after the divorce, then it can create a lot of confusion for your children. You could end up saying something about the divorce that will change later. As a result, your children’s trust in you could be hurt.
As you start the divorce process, you’ll learn more about what will happen after the divorce. You can then confidently talk about the changes and answer any of your children’s questions.
Divorce can be a complicated process. You may need to reach out for legal help to ensure that you understand all of your rights as a parent.