Texas parents take notice: Your child may actually be adjusting well to your divorce! Even though family law experts often talk about the negative side of divorce — including child custody disputes — parents can actually succeed in helping their children through this difficult time. Today, we present a few signs that may indicate that your child is acclimating to the unfamiliar circumstances.
Your child’s social and academic performance are two important indicators of emotional and mental health, both of which can be affected by a divorce. If your youngster is interested in playing with friends, she may be adjusting well to the breakup. However, withdrawing from social circles may be an indicator that something is just not right. Homework is also a great metric for gauging your child’s response to the marital dissolution; if your youngster is turning in projects and schoolwork on time, everything is probably A-OK.
In general, children who are keeping up with other interests, such as sports and hobbies, are also adjusting to the changes in their family lives. Conversely, if your teenager is avoiding sports practices or skipping play rehearsal, you may have a problem on your hands. This also goes for other obligations, such as chores and other household expectations. Belligerent behavior about chores may be a sign that your child is not responding well to changes in physical custody and other household modifications.
Children are sensitive to changes in their social and physical environments. Parents need to take the time to create a safe space during the divorce, so that children can continue through their developmental stages without too much disruption. Parents and attorneys should always remember to try to act in the best interests of the child during child custody negotiations and other divorce proceedings.
Source: The Huffington Post, “10 Signs Your Kid Is Adjusting Well To The Divorce” Wendi Schuller, Jul. 20, 2014
