Handling Divorce and Children Adjustment, and What Changes come with it

It’s not unusual for couples to want to call it quits from time to time. In some cases, marriage counseling or couples counseling can help. However, there are times when one or both parties feel that a divorce or separation is best. When this happens, it doesn’t just affect the parents. It also affects the children. Dr. Joan Oppenheim of Westport, CT, offers residents of Connecticut and New York divorce therapy and parenting support to make the transition a healthier one.

The Challenges of Divorce, Children, and Transitions

Divorces are impactful for everyone in the household. Each parent is letting go of a dream they had and losing the partner they chose for life. Children lose a sense of security and a piece of their own dreams.

Some children might not seem fazed or may even seem happy about the divorce, especially if there has been a lot of fighting or tension in the home. However, they still have to adjust to a new life.

While a divorce can impact children in different ways, it’s not unusual to see the following:

• Hypersensitivity, anger, or irritability
• Decline in school or sports performance
• Sudden lack of interest in friends or hobbies
• Isolating themselves in their rooms
• Self-confidence issues or guilt, often when they think they are to blame for the divorce
• Destructive behavior
• Sleep difficulties
• Acting clingy
• Sudden fears
• Health issues

Additionally, children might feel they need to take one parent’s side against the other. And many have difficulty forming healthy attachments and relationships later in life.

You’ll also likely see difficulty adapting to their new changes. For example, if a divorce involves moving to a new school or shared custody, it can be hard for children to become accustomed to their new surroundings, routines, and expectations.

The Role of Therapy in Divorce

If you’re struggling in your marriage and considering divorce, couples counseling is a great place to start. In many cases, marriage counseling can help you mend the fences, rebuild trust, and save your relationship.

Divorce therapy is beneficial when the decision has already been made and is final. Dr. Oppenheim of Westport, CT, can help everyone involved, including the children, cope with their feelings in healthy ways, transition more smoothly, and keep open lines of communication. She can also provide parenting support to ensure the children have the best support system.

Divorce doesn’t have to tear your family down. Call (203) 227-3848 to schedule an in-person or online appointment with Dr. Oppenheim of Westport, CT, for couples counseling, marriage counseling, divorce therapy, or parenting support.