Getting a divorce is not something you planned on when you walked down the aisle and got married. But divorce is a common experience among families throughout the U.S.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention states that in 2019, 746,971 couples either annulled their marriage or got a divorce. If you and your spouse are getting ready to divorce, the following strategies can help you break the news to your children.
1. Plan ahead
Talk to your spouse about what you want to say to your children when you tell them about ending your marriage. You should also plan a time to have this conversation when all your children will be together and at a time that does not conflict with a major event, like one of your children’s birthdays.
2. Explain why this is happening
You do not have to go into all the details about why you and your spouse want to divorce. But you should provide some kind of general explanation to your children about why you intend to end your marriage.
3. Provide reassurance
Your divorce marks a major change in your children’s lives. Prepare to provide plenty of reassurance in the coming days that your children are not at fault and there is nothing they could have done to prevent the divorce.
Your children will likely experience a range of emotions after you tell them about your divorce, from anger and sadness to frustration. Support your children as they experience these emotions and process the news of your divorce.