Your divorce is one of the hardest things you’ve ever dealt with and it is just as difficult, if not more so for your child. Children whose parents divorce often blame themselves, act out, withdraw, have trouble in school, make bad choices for themselves, or have difficulty coping with the new reality. The good news is most kids work through these problems and are able to adapt. There are some things you can do as a parent to help your child work through the situation and feel better about it.
Notify the school. For elementary age children, get in touch with the classroom teacher and let him or her know what is happening in your family. Ask if there is a school social worker who might be able to help your child. Some schools have special peer group counseling sessions for children facing divorce. If your child is in middle or high school, call the guidance counselor. He or she will make a note of what is happening so that if there should be any problems with your child at school, teachers and administrators will know what is going on. Ask if there are any peer group counseling sessions available at this school.
Get a referral to a child therapist. Call your pediatrician, ask your lawyer, or ask your own therapist or marriage counselor for names. You may need to take your child to several therapists before you find one that is a good fit and with whom your child feels comfortable communicating. Taking your child to frequent counseling sessions is a big commitment (in time and money) but it is absolutely worth it and likely won’t be something you need to do forever.
Call DeTorres & DeGeorge for representation in your divorce or custody case in the Flemington and Clinton area of New Jersey.