Divorce is a difficult time for everyone involved and, no matter how much you try to keep things afloat, it can have an undeniable impact on the family home. Children are perceptive, after all, and even if you’re not openly arguing in front of them, they may understand that something’s going on before you’ve openly announced your divorce intentions.
Once you do let your child know what’s happening, home can become an even more difficult place for them. That’s heartbreaking to see, and it’s possibly one of the worst things about the divorce process.
Luckily, one area of your child’s life that will remain untouched by what’s happening at home is their schooling. Here, they may find increasing comfort from those family difficulties, and that comfort could really help them through. Here, we’ll consider just three of the different ways that your child’s school could offer support throughout the divorce process and beyond.
For more on this topic, check out the full Child Behavior collection
Offering an ongoing routine
It can be tempting to take kids out of school when things aren’t right at home, especially if they’re struggling. In reality, though, given that their home life is probably the most disruptive thing your child faces right now, it’s worth leaning on the routine that their school offers. After all, everything else in their life is changing. Continuing to attend school at the same time every day, and to focus on the same lessons as always, can help to ground your child, and give them much-needed safe breathing space away from all of those changes.
Ensuring outside support
No matter how amicable your divorce might be, it’s impossible to remain completely neutral with your children when you’re spending all day in court talking about custody arrangements and father’s rights. And, when you let those things creep into your conversations with your child, you automatically make it harder for them to confide or feel safe speaking with you.
Instead, your child would be better off discussing such issues, and any concerns surrounding them, with an outside party, which they can easily access at school. Conversations with a teacher that they trust can be especially effective in this sense, but you can also work with the school to provide your child access to welfare officers and other third-party conversations if you feel they could be beneficial.
Overseeing supportive friendship groups
Friends are a huge help in any difficult time of life, and they’ll be a massive reassurance to your child at this time. By continuing to enjoy playtime with their friends at school, your child will be better able to blow off steam, and just enjoy being a kid. This recharge time will then help them to deal with their home situation a little better, especially if teachers are on hand to ensure that they’re engaging in positive, supportive friendship groups in their daily school life.
Conclusion
Divorce is difficult for anyone, not least the children who get caught in it. Seek help from your child’s school to make this process a little bit easier for everyone.
For more on this topic, check out the full Child Behavior collection
