Augusta GA Divorce Attorney - Help your preschooler cope with your divorce
by TOM ROGAT at DIVORCE360
Divorce is a difficult time for everyone, especially young children. Preschoolers usually don't understand what divorce is or why it is happening. When children this age don't know why something is happening, they frequently use their imaginations to make sense of things. This can mean believing that they have done something to make an event -- such as divorce -- happen. Talking with your preschooler about divorce can help ensure that he isn't blaming himself or, as a child may see it, "making Daddy (or Mommy) leave." It can also help alleviate other fears and make them feel as secure as possible. Here are some important topics to address with your preschooler if you won't have daily custody.
It is not the child's fault you're leaving. "It's not your fault that I'm moving out. It's only because of things that mommy and daddy did. You didn't do, say or think anything wrong."
Preschoolers can be quick to assign themselves guilt for a divorce. They can also believe things happen because of what they wish for, so make sure they know their thoughts and feelings weren't responsible.
The other parent won't leave. "Even though mommy and daddy won't live together anymore, you will always live with one of us. For now, you'll be living with mommy, and she won't be leaving."
One of a preschooler's greatest fears is that if one parent is leaving, the other might, too.
You both still love them. "Mommy and I both still love you, and always will, even if we can't all live together anymore. That will never change."
Your preschooler needs to understand that the relationship with both parents will continue even though you're moving out.
How much contact you'll have with them. "We will chat on the phone every day and you can talk about whatever you want. You'll see me every Wednesday afternoon and stay at my home on Saturday nights, too."
Invite your child to make contact whenever he wants to and have the child visit as soon as possible.
Alexandra Gonzalez-Waddington is an Augusta GA divorce lawyer & Georgia Military Divorce Lawyer Augusta Georgia domestic mediator. She is an Augusta military divorce lawyer, GA child custody attorney , and Augusta Georgia child support attorney. She offers mediation for divorce, child custody, and child support.
