Skip to main content

7 Things Every Child of Divorce Needs NOW

Parents talking to their young son
PARENTS WHO LISTEN MORE AND SPEAK LESS. A child's emotions, thoughts, and behavior may be unstable during this difficult time. They need to be able to express how they feel without their emotions being stuffed. Some of the things they say may be difficult for the parent to hear, so don't dismiss or minimize what is said or how they feel.

REGULAR ACCESS TO GRANDPARENTS. Relationships with your extended family may be complicated for you, but the kids still need them. Determine what access grandparents and other extended family members will have to your children, and remain open to the fact that these adults can be beneficial during this difficult time. It can often times be easier for children to express their feelings to grandparents and others.

The best parenting tool ever created!

Bill Corbett teaches a parenting class in Longmeadow MA to a group of active parents
PARENTS WILLING TO TAKE A PARENTING CLASS. I'm not referring to the inexpensive divorce class that most states require all divorcing parents to attend; I'm talking about a multi-session parenting class in which parents learn about the developmental stages of childhood and what constitutes normal and abnormal behavior. Receiving additional help from a class or even a parent coach can prepare you for the significant behavioral challenges that may arise from the divorce.

FIRM BOUNDARIES AND LIMITATIONS. Even though many children and teens will push the limits even further during a divorce, they require firm rules to know that the parents are still in charge and care. Firm boundaries create feelings of safety and love, especially during difficult times such as divorce. Avoid the urge to give in and bend rules, to avoid hearing the dreadful statement, "I want to go live with my Dad (or Mom)."

Mom is talking about Dad when he's not around and the hope is that she is speaking positively about him, even if the the divorce is toughRESPECTFUL TALK ABOUT THE OTHER PARENT. Your issues with your ex are your issues, not your child's. No matter how terrible of a person you feel your ex was to you or the kids, your children will most likely still see them as the wonderful, flawless parent they once were. You don't have to speak affectionately about them in front of the kids, just respectfully.

CONSISTENCY ON THE RULES OF ACCESS TO INAPPROPRIATE MATERIAL. Your son comes home from a visitation with the other parent with a new smartphone, tablet, violent video game, or any other object you usually don't allow him to have. Avoid thinking that he can keep it just because the other parent gave it to him. Please hold on to that item until the next visitation. You can't control what your child is exposed to in the other parent's home, but you can in your own.

Want more cooperation in your classroom? Here's the best teacher tool ever!

PARENTS WITH EMOTIONAL SUPPORT. Seek out support groups in your community to get the help you need. Many churches offer a continuing workshop and support group called Divorce Care, which is open to anyone, even if you are not a church member. Your children need you to be emotionally strong and able to provide the support they will need to get through this difficult time.


The Author is an international speaker and the author of eight books, including the award-winning parenting book, LOVE, LIMITS & LESSONS: A PARENT'S GUIDE TO RAISING COOPERATIVE KIDS. Bill has three children, six grandchildren, and two great-grandchildren. You can learn more about his work at http://BillCorbettsBooks.com.

Affiliate Disclosure:
This blog has affiliate links, so we may earn a commission if you click on them and buy something. We only recommend products or services we believe will add value to our readers.
Labels:

Comments

Post a Comment

Contact Form

Name

Email *

Message *

About Me

My photo
Bill Corbett
Bill Corbett is a nationally recognized parent educator, author, and speaker known for his practical and compassionate approach to raising children. He has helped countless parents, caregivers, and professionals better understand child behavior and discipline through his workshops, seminars, books, and media appearances. As the creator of the "Love, Limits & Lessons" parenting program, Corbett emphasizes respectful and effective communication, age-appropriate expectations, and the importance of emotional connection in child-rearing. His work is grounded in positive discipline strategies that foster cooperation and confidence in both children and parents.

Popular posts from this blog

Why Love and Logic has it Wrong... Again!

Children don’t often demonstrate respect because they either don’t know what it looks like or, as the Father of Individual Psychology, Alfred Adler taught us, their disrespectful behavior is their way of attempting to get unmet needs satisfied.  The secret to getting kids to treat their parents and others with respect is to first treat them with respect and to then help them find their place in the family or the classroom.  But the creators of the LOVE AND LOGIC parenting program would have you believe differently.  All parenting programs are not created equal and in my opinion, many are misguided and offer parents and teachers bad information.  It is my belief that we should not just be demanding and manipulating our kids to be more cooperative, we should be raising children who WANT to cooperate and be engaged in the family or classroom because they feel encouraged to do so. HOW TO STOP KIDS' BEGGING FOR TOYS One of those programs that frequently offers...
6 comments
Read more

Is Your Child Asking for a Labubu?

What is this "Creepy-Cute" Collectible All About? Labubu has become a huge hit around the world as a collectible that brings together fashion lovers, collectors, and celebrities. Kasing Lung made this small monster in 2015 for his Monsters art collection, which was based on Nordic mythology. After Hong Kong artist Kasing Lung made Labubu in 2015 for his The Monsters art project, Chinese toy company Pop Mart made a lot of them in blind-box sets. The toy comes in a blind package that hides all of its features. There are more than 300 variations as of the time this article was written. So what's the big deal? 1. The excitement of perhaps acquiring a rare item. Psychologists believe it's like gambling or an obsession, and this makes a dopamine loop. 2. The mix of silky fur and pointed, jagged teeth in "ugly-cute" and edgy styles is quite appealing. 3. A desire that celebrities and social media make people feel. Kids want to stay up with the current trends be...
Post a Comment
Read more

Connection First: Why Your Child Needs You More Than Your Consequences

Most parents share the desire for their child to become kind while developing respect and emotional strength. A peaceful home environment matters more to you than the chaotic atmosphere of constant power struggles between you and your child. The urge to establish consequences for boundary pushing from children leads parents into a pattern of questioning what punishment will stop their behavior. Children do not require increased disciplinary measures. Their needs extend beyond the realm of consequences to include a stronger connection. Get the LOVE, LIMITS & LESSONS cooperations book by CLICKING HERE . The Myth of “Making Them Learn” The standard parenting approach instructs parents to remove privileges when their child misbehaves. The method works to obtain temporary compliance, but it does not lead to sustained growth. Children develop better through relationships that offer them emotional safety and help them manage their feelings and actions. Our fru...
Post a Comment
Read more