If you decide to divorce and have a child with the other individual, you know that a very difficult conversation is staring you in the face. It won’t be long before you have to sit down with your child to discuss your divorce and what it means regarding his or her future.
As difficult as it can be, you don’t want to shy away from this conversation. You need to be open and honest with your child, all the while giving them the peace of mind they’re seeking.
Here are a few things to think about before telling your child about your divorce:
What you want to say. Since this is sure to be a challenging conversation, think long and hard about the approach you’ll take. You may even want to write it out so you don’t forget anything.
The right time and place. There’s a good chance this news will disappoint your child, so you need to choose the right time and place for the conversation. An example of the wrong time to discuss divorce is on the way to school in the morning.
How to answer every question. You never know what your child will ask, but you should attempt to prepare for everything.
What happens next. It’s one thing to tell your child about your divorce, but another thing entirely to implement a system for moving forward. You should have a clear understanding of what you can do in the near future to keep your child protected and feeling optimistic.
As you move past this conversation with your child, you can turn more attention to the divorce process and the steps you can take to protect your legal rights.