Presented by BetterHelp
A divorce can be one of the most challenging obstacles you can face in life. Not only do you lose your spouse, but you may also lose the family you married into, along with certain friendships. Even when your divorce is amicable, that doesn’t always make it any less painful. Divorce may be difficult, but it can be even more stressful when children are involved. It’s one thing to figure out how to handle your own emotions and another thing to worry about being there for your kids too. In this article, we’ll go over some coping strategies you can utilize during your divorce when children are in the picture.
Coping Strategies For Divorce (With Kids In Mind)
Taking care of yourself during and in the aftermath of a divorce is crucial, and it can enable you to support your children more effectively. Here are some coping methods you can use to help yourself through this tough time, as well as suggestions for comforting your kids.
- Attend therapy: Therapy can be a powerful tool for overcoming the emotional and mental toll a divorce can take. Some therapeutic approaches may be more appropriate for your situation than others. For example, if your ex-spouse was abusive, you may benefit from EMDR, and if your children are struggling with the divorce, family therapy could be useful.
- Practice self-care: Self-care includes everything from eating healthy to exercising regularly to getting adequate sleep at night. It can also involve relaxing activities like taking a hot bubble bath, reading a book, or watching your favorite TV show. Ensuring that you’re physically and mentally healthy can give you the strength you need to keep moving forward. You can also teach your kids about self-care by helping them engage in the hobbies they enjoy and being there as needed so they can process their thoughts and feelings with you.
- Spend time with loved ones: Loved ones like friends and family members can provide encouragement, support, and comfort at a time when you need it most. Carving out time in your week to grab coffee, lunch, or dinner with the people you love can alleviate any loneliness you might be feeling and serve as a reminder that you’re not alone. Taking your kids over to their grandparent’s house for the weekend and receiving help with looking after them can be a stress reliever for all of you.
- Get out of the house: Staying inside all day might increase anxious and depressive feelings, while getting out and about can boost your mood. Even if you have nothing to do, simply taking a walk around the neighborhood can be healing in itself. Your kids can also join you, whether they ride their bikes, walk alongside you, or get pushed in a stroller.
Coping with divorce can present some challenges, but it’s all about finding the right tools to support yourself through your healing journey. Having children involved in the process can make it more stressful, but they can also serve as a reminder of something good that came from your marriage. Remembering to look after yourself first can be key to caring for your kids and encouraging them through this difficult time in their lives.
Conclusion
Whether you realize it or not, your kids are looking up to you and noticing your reactions, behaviors, and habits. Modeling a healthy lifestyle can positively influence them to grow up in pursuit of the same thing. Divorce may mark a painful period in your and your children’s lives, but with time, this heartache you’re all feeling often becomes less and less consuming. Recognizing that season is just part of your life and not your whole life can give you the strength to move forward with resilience and an endless amount of grace for yourself.
