Services -Avoid the 10 Mistakes of Divorced Parents listed below with the following:
Children of Divorce Support Groups and Classes - Weekly Classes. Call (407) 248-0030 for more information.
Individual or Family Counseling Services for Children, & Adolescent Support
Divorce Recovery Support for Adults
10 Mistakes Parents make when
they Divorce
Keeping
the Kids Out of Your Divorce
How knowing this ahead of
time can minimize the effects on the children?
1. Battle in Front of the Children. Even in the best circumstances, divorce is a difficult transition for children. However, parents can psychologically damage their children when they scream
and/or argue in their presence. When children witness their parents abusing each
other, they are overwhelmed by feelings that can range from fear to guilt. They
are too young to maturely evaluate what their parents are doing to each other,
and will thus become victims of parental infighting. It is also harmful for
children to hear their parents arguing with each other over the phone. Even
thought they can hear only one side of the conversation, the effects are the
same. At this point in their life, both parents need to strive for stability and
safety for their children.
2. Using Children as Messengers. Parents who will not,
or can not, communicate with each other should not use their children to bear
this parental burden. Children worry about how the “message” will be received
and often feel responsible for its effects. In addition, the message itself may
provide information that really is inappropriate for them to know. In a similar
vein, it is harmful for parents to use their children to spy on each other, thus
placing them in a position where they will lose if they comply! Parents need to
communicate directly with each other and remove the child from this
uncomfortable situation.
3. Putting
Children in Parental Roles. Although the statements that “now he is
the man of the house or isn’t she mommy’s little helper” may be viewed as
complementary, they can lead to long-term problems. Children may believe
that they need to assume responsibility for taking care of a parent or the
household. Parents may put the child in the position of meeting their
emotional needs by discussing personal issues or treating them as their absent
partner. It is difficult to imagine any negative effect when these
children appear very responsible, well-behaved, and mature beyond their age.
But that is the point, it is just appearance.
Childhood is the time to develop a healthy identity, and this self-knowledge is
gained in a nurturing environment where responsibilities are age-appropriate.
Forcing children to bear adult responsibilities can create a distorted identity
with areas of emotional emptiness, leading to later difficulties in setting
boundaries, relating to peers, and forming intimate relationships.
4. Disrupting the usual Support System for the Children.
Children not only gain support and security from their parents, but also from
friends, extended family, school, church, and from outside activities such as
athletic programs. Children who are taken away from all their sources of
support, nurture, and joy face additional trauma that may be overwhelming,
especially in light of what they are already facing at home. Parents
should make every effort to let these other areas of support continue to nurture
and encourage their children, enlisting relatives from both sides of the family
help the child maintain a sense of security and emotional support.
5. Becoming the “Disney” Parent. All parents like to see
their children happy, but divorced parents are often motivated by guilt and/or
the desire to be the child’s favorite. But this may lead parents to stop
being parents, and to trade long-term maturity for short-term fun. “I only
have them for the weekend” becomes an excuse to replace rules and
responsibilities with entertainment and gifts. In their immaturity, children can
encourage this lack of parenting by equating the parent whom they have the most
fun with as the parent whom they love the most. This situation, however,
does not equip them for the reality that life is about following rules and
assuming responsibilities. Consequently, it is important to remember that
children need the direction and guidance of their parent and not another
playmate.
6. Date in front of children the first year after divorce. Both parents and children need time for the transition to a “single parent” home to become more comfortable. Divorce causes a loss of emotional security in children, and it is important for them to become emotionally strong before they face the prospect of having new significant adults in their life, never knowing how long they will remain. Parent dating also hinders the development of healthy routines at a critical time in the life of the children. Dating soon after a divorce will also more likely result in the children viewing the date as a threat - robbing them of needed time with their parent. When it is time to date, the parent should discuss the issue with their child beforehand, and if the relationship starts to become serious, the parent should look for activities that would involve the child, too.
7. Make promises you can’t keep. Because children are emotionally vulnerable after a divorce, they are more likely to view a broken promise as a reflection of how much they are valued as opposed to it just being due to a mistake by an over-extended parent.
8. Make child feel one parent is the “good” parent and the other the “bad” parent. The “good parent” – “bad parent” mistake puts undue pressure on children to choose sides. Generally, children want to be loved by both parents and it is important for their adjustment to love and be close to both their parents.
9. Have different rules at each house. Reestablishing stability in the lives of the children is critical, as divorce gives children the feeling that their world is spinning out of control. Parents who agree to provide consistent rules and expectations for their children will help rebuild their security.
10. Discuss money matters with the child. Generally, divorce creates financial strain for both parties, and this can naturally lead to comments that may unintentionally communicate worry and fear to the children. Children may then feel guilty for asking for even basic items such as school supplies or clothing, or they make take on the burden of seeking someway for them to provide for the family.
Janie Lacy, M.S. & in Clermont Sandi Burchfield, M.S. are
available at Total Life Counseling in Orlando, Winter Park
& Clermont, Florida. (407) 248-0030
6 Stages to Work Through Divorce
“I thought my marriage was going to be the one to last. I believe in marriages being permanent and lifelong.”
So, what do you do when your marriage crumbles and you’re left to pick up the pieces?
Know that divorce is a loss and the grieving process can be similar to a death. Most often, though, the dissolution of a marriage does not end the relationship between you and your former spouse. It begins a new and often painful process of restructuring your relationship.
The Divorce Recovery Process
1. Shock & Disbelief Stage. Common feelings include pain and numbness. Panic, mood swings, anxiety, relief, freedom, and rage are a few of the things you may experience. You may question your inadequacies. Your self-esteem is at-risk, possibly sending you into depression. Fears that you’ve not felt before surface: fears of never getting through the pain, fears of being unlovable, fears of having to tell your family and friends.
2. Mourning Stage. Feelings of sadness are followed by hurt, anger, or guilt. You may cry for hours, days, and then have a strong need to “get even”, want to place blame or punish your former spouse. This stage cannot be rushed through. It is normal to have these feelings, but can be frightening or upsetting if you experience them. Allow yourself to experience your feelings and process them. Seek professional counseling if necessary. If you are the spouse that is the target of these feelings, you can help the process by listening sympathetically and dealing with your former spouse as they mourn the loss of the marriage. It is important to help your children through this stage as well.
3. Dependency Stage. The strong emotions are beginning to subside, but there is still the need for various supports: financial, emotional, or parenting. You may find yourself believing that the relationship can still work. Learn to recognize that this is normal as you and your former spouse work together to form a new relationship that is completely different from the past. If you begin to feel burdened by the other spouse still being dependent on you, learn to be more assertive in expressing your needs and concerns. However, if you are still feeling overly dependent on your former spouse, you may need to work on developing a new support system or seek counseling to help you through this stage.
4. Initial Adjustment Stage. At this point, you are learning to adapt to a new phase in your life. You have a better practical sense of reality. Legal matters are usually taken care of by now and you’re able to settle into a different way of life. This can be a painful process of self-discovery as a single person. You may find yourself pleasantly surprised by how well you can make it on your own. On the other hand, you may experience feelings of sadness as you explore new interests, make new friends, and purchase large items (property, house, car).
5. Letting Go and Reorganizing Stage. You are beginning to realize and accept that the marriage is truly over and can never be the way it was again. Redefining your relationship with your former spouse and reconstructing personal values and beliefs happens during this stage. The groundwork for forgiveness can be liberating for you. Naming hurts, blaming, and finally choosing to forgive are done in steps.
6. Growth & Life-Reformation. This is the desired phase of divorce recovery. Spouses feel comfortable in their new identity. You feel free in acknowledging a new relationship without guilt or resentment. You have a new sense of ability to cope with daily life, and are more accepting of your ex-spouse. Self-discovery has allowed you to see your strengths and weaknesses, and you’re able to move forward with new plans.
The mourning and dependency stage are the most difficult stages to work through and you may move from one stage to another and back again. Being able to understand that this is a process can be reassuring that life will begin again and this too will become the past.
Written by Sandi Burchfield, M.S.
Total Life Counseling Center provides counseling, therapy, coaching, camps and career services for all of central Florida, including: Orlando, Winter Park, Maitland, College Park, Dr. Phillips, Pine Castle, Conway, Windermere, Winter Garden, Ocoee, Oviedo, Longwood, Altamonte Springs, Casselberry, Lake Mary, Sanford, Deland, De Bary, Deltona, Daytona, New Smyrna, Cocoa, Titusville, Merritt Island, Kissimmee, St. Cloud, Celebration, Mt. Dora, the Villages and the tri-cities of Tavares, Eustis and Leesburg.
Our counseling, therapy, camps, group, coaching and career services are conveniently located at:
For Divorce Counseling and Recovery in Orlando, Winter Park, East Orlando & Clermont area.
Call us at (407)
248-0030
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