Divorce can be a painful process, especially when there are children involved. All children tend to experience this kind of separation differently, with older children being able to understand more of what’s going on. While teenagers might think they know what divorce is about, they might still be carrying around misconceptions that ultimately end up causing them avoidable pain. As such, they might benefit from additional support and understanding.
Understanding How Divorce Affects Teens Emotionally
Being a teenager can be intensely emotional even during times of relative stability. During a tumultuous life event like a divorce, you might find that your teens experience heightened emotions, which in some cases can be very damaging. Chronic stress and anxiety can be painful, however much your teen might try to hide them.
The best antidote for these problems is transparency. Encourage your teen to talk about how they’re feeling in an environment that’s non-judgemental. This will help them to process the transition.
Creating Stability During an Unstable Time
When your parents are getting divorced, it can often feel like all of the assumptions you once made about life have been thrown up in the air. A teenager might begin to suspect that if their parents are no longer going to be together, then any number of other things, once taken for granted, might now be in jeopardy.
You should counter these suspicions proactively by offering reassurance. Tell your teenager that the divorce won’t affect your feelings for them and that they are not to blame for the divorce. Collaborate, where possible, with the other parent, so that you can provide a consistent schedule, with plenty of time for distracting after-school activities.
A well-structured legal agreement, guided by a divorce and family lawyer, can help create a co-parenting plan that prioritizes the teen’s well-being.
Encouraging Healthy Communication and Coping Strategies
Teenagers can go through phases during which they might withdraw into themselves. In a divorce, this can be a big problem. So, it’s worth trying to inculcate strategies for dealing with emotions. Journaling, meditation, paid-for therapy sessions, and time with friends can be useful.
Above all, make sure that your conflict with your spouse isn’t worsening any problem. Make sure that you remain civil with one another, and that you don’t use your children as pawns in your own game. If you want to completely minimize upheaval, then you might think about forms of alternative dispute resolution.