Signs Your Child May Be Struggling to Process Your Divorce

Helping Your Child Cope

Dealing with change can be especially difficult for children, and when that change involves their home life, they may struggle even more. Children of any age may have a hard time adjusting to life after a divorce, and in doing so they may display signs that they are struggling to cope with their new life. Here are some signs to look for in order to determine if your child is struggling with your divorce.

Constant Sadness

It’s normal for anyone going through a divorce, whether they be adults or children, to feel sad throughout and even after the process. However, if you notice that your child is consistently sad, perhaps more than you might expect, then you may need to take action. This can manifest itself in external behaviors such as crying more often or in nonverbal ways such as depression and anxiety.

Withdrawing

One of the symptoms of depression is a lack of interest in activities that used to bring them joy and excitement. You might notice that your child no longer wants to spend time with their friends or partake in fun activities; they’d rather spend time alone in their room away from other people. In a sense, they may be trying to avoid the changes happening in their lives, but in reality, they may be struggling to cope with their new situation.

Acting Up

In contrast, children may resort to external behaviors that are out of the ordinary for them. Children may feel as if they have no control over what is going on, and because of this they may display signs of anger and may argue more often than usual.

This behavior may not be limited to at-home interactions; it’s likely that if they are acting up at home, they may be acting up at school, as well. You may get more phone calls than usual about their behavior or even poor academic performance. These behaviors should not be ignored.

What To Do To Help

Helping your children through this difficult period in their lives is of utmost importance; failure to assist as necessary may lead to hindered development as they grow up. It’s important to do whatever possible to help your children cope with the divorce. It’s okay to acknowledge how they are feeling; sadness is normal. However, they cannot let themselves remain this way forever. Take steps to help them adjust and express their feelings in healthy ways.

Work with a Pasadena Attorney

Custody issues can be incredibly sensitive for everyone involved, and because of this, it is important to work with an attorney who can guide you on how to best proceed throughout your case. At Schweitzer Law Partners, your children’s best interests are our priority, and we want to do everything we can to help them live the best life possible.

To schedule a consultation with a member of our team, call us at (626) 788-5225 or visit us online.