Divorce can be a difficult process for all those involved and affects children in various ways. The Mandatory Parenting Programme (MPP) aims to address these concerns even before a divorce is filed at the courts.
The impact of the divorce in your family can bring about a range of emotions, depending on your children’s age and the circumstances surrounding the divorce.
Some reactions your children may have are:
- Anger and resentment towards you and/or the other parent
- Sadness and grief
- Denial of the divorce
- The feeling of being caught in the middle (divided loyalties)
- Withdrawal
- Low self-esteem
How You Can Help Your Children Cope
- As parents, agree on a sustainable parenting plan that allows your children to have a routine with minimal disruptions.
- Learn new skills to help you adjust your new role as a single parent. Different parenting plans might help.
- Communicate regularly with your children and let them know that you still love and care for them deeply.
- Minimise changes to the environment so that your children do not have to undergo too many changes at the same time.
- Keep your children out of conflicts between you and your ex-spouse (e.g. matters pertaining to divorce maintenance, child custody and access issues and etc.).
- Encourage your children to ask for help if they need it, either from yourself or an adult whom they trust.
