Marriage

Divorce can be just as hard on your kids as it is on you. Simple things like always greeting them with a smile when you visit, not arguing with your ex in front of them, or taking up a class or activity together can help. Introduce a few new things at a time and avoid a sudden change of home, town, or school. Be sure to communicate, listen, and help answer their queries and validate their feelings. Get professional help for yourself or your child if it is needed.

During any separation or divorce, it's not just the adults who are affected, but the kids too. Toddlers and young children who aren't able to fully process the situation may end up throwing tantrums, becoming more irritable and anxious, losing their appetite, or complaining of aches and pains. Older kids and teens might become withdrawn and struggle with school. Even normally well-behaved kids might start to misbehave. If you ignore a child’s cries for help, it could impact their self-esteem, self-sufficiency, and relationships, and even put them at risk for depression and alcohol abuse as adults.

As beautiful and life-changing as relationships are, no one will ever claim they are easy. If you've come to a point where you and your partner feel it's best to split up, separate, or divorce, it's important to get the right support system in place and also take care of yourself mentally, emotionally, and physically. Your own well-being is especially crucial during this difficult time – a failed relationship can be more detrimental to your health than you think.