Negative Impacts of Divorce on Kids
If you are in the process of getting a divorce and have children, you may be wondering about the negative impacts of divorce on kids. No matter the age of your children, it is inevitable that they will be impacted by this change in family dynamics and living situation. Staying together for the sake of the children can be just as, if not more, damaging to children, it is best to find a way to minimize the impact of your divorce on the children. One of the major ways that children are affected in this process is through their attention, which spills out and affects many areas of their lives.
How Divorce Negatively Impacts Children
Children whose parents are going through a divorce may be noted to suddenly or gradually have attention problems at school and at play. Their grades may be slipping and they may be fidgety in class and during playtimes. Their school work may not be completed at all, or on time. Teachers may suggest testing or even prescription drugs, such as Ritalin or Concerta, for Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder. Unfortunately, if testing is chosen as an option, not much is asked about in the area of the home and family life. This process can completely overlook a divorce as the cause of the child’s inattentiveness and other problems.
Even with treatment many children in this situation will not deal well with change. They, in fact, will seem resistant to change, and medications may not even work. Symptoms may get worse. Various interventions may seem to be of little or no help. This leaves parents, children, and teachers at a loss for what to do. What they do not realize is that children in divorce situations often feel trapped between their parents and feel forced to take sides. These demands can affect their behavior and their attention at school and elsewhere. It is very similar to an adult who has too much on their mind and cannot focus on one particular important issue.
Helping Kids Through a Divorce
In order for children to recover, the root of the problem must be addressed; the divorce and its effects on the child. Counseling and play therapy are just two methods to help the child process what is happening to him or her. If left untreated and unaddressed for too long, these problems can start to affect other areas of a child’s life such as their self esteem. Parents should be encouraged to leave the children out of their conflicts and as much as possible out of the divorce process.
If you need help in the divorce process, contact one of our Toronto divorce lawyers. We understand the legal, emotional, family, and financial impacts of divorce. We are here to help you through this difficult time and to minimize the negative impacts of divorce on kids.
We also welcome any inquiries you may have about child support or family law.