Emotionally, this very much depends on how the parents tackle their separation / divorce and the extent to which they work together to protect the children from adult issues.
Check out;
i) Checklist 4 for our tips on how help your children in a divorce / separation scenario;
ii) Episode 3 of our Podcast series - “How to help you help your kids”. In this episode we talk to a divorce parenting expert about how parents can deliver the news of a change in the family dynamic to the children in the best possible way, how to help children to cope with those changes and how to co-parent well; and
iii) This excellent Guide prepared by Resolution which walks parents through a relationship breakdown and what to expect when it comes to the children.
Other common changes children normally encounter after separation or divorce are; having to move home, dividing their time between their parents, depending on the financial circumstances of their parents, it may not be possible for the children to attend as many activities or go on holiday as frequently and sometimes it may even be necessary for the children to change schools (from fee paying to States).
When children face changes to their routine, having full support from both of their parents will help to limit the stress of these changes on them.
The most damaging impact of a divorce / separation on children is parental conflict. When parents limit their children’s exposure to conflict, children can adjust to changes and thrive post changes in the family dynamic.