Health Tip: Discussing Divorce With Kids

Almost half of all marriages end in divorce, the American Academy of Family Physicians notes.

If you have children, it’s important for you as a parent to stress that the divorce is not their fault. You also should do your best to keep lines of communication open, the group says.

The academy recommends:

Be open and honest with your kids. Don’t keep your separation or divorce a secret. Get together with your kids and spouse and talk about the situation calmly.
Stress that the children did nothing wrong.
Emphasize that the children are most important to both of you, and stress how much you love them.
Keep the children’s routines as consistent as possible.
Keep in mind each child’s age, maturity level and temperament. Provide as much information as each child needs.
Don’t make rash decisions.
Don’t speak poorly about each other, and avoid blaming each other.

Source: HealthDay