We all know that divorce is hard on children. However, their remarkable resilience allows them to adapt to these life changes in most situations. Unfortunately, some children have trouble dealing with the divorce of their parents.
It is easy for parents to get so caught up in managing their divorce that they do not notice their child is struggling right away. Try not to feel bad if this is happening in your family. Distraction is a normal side-effect of divorce for most Lake Elmo and Twin Cities residents. However, it is vital to begin addressing your child’s coping issues as soon as you notice them.
How can you tell your child is not coping with your divorce?
All psychological issues come with signs or symptoms. Sooner or later, they will begin to manifest, and you may notice your child struggling. Seven things to watch for in your child include:
- Regression to age-inappropriate behaviors like thumb-sucking or bed-wetting
- Unusual distress over small or unimportant matters
- Increased agitation, crying or overall sadness
- Withdrawal from family members or friends
- Abnormal displays or outbursts of aggression, anger or hostility
- Sudden disinterest in previously enjoyed activities
- New or increased separation anxiety involving you, your co-parent or both
All children have unique personalities, meaning that their coping difficulties could manifest in other ways. What matters is that you keep a watchful eye on your child during and after your divorce. If your child seems unable to cope, we recommend broaching this topic with your legal counsel. There are two main reasons for this.
First, the way you address (or do not address) your child’s issues might impact your child custody agreement if the court thinks you responded inappropriately. Second, family law advocates often connect parents with qualified mental health professionals to help children thrive after divorce.
