It is not uncommon for people in Missouri to utter words they later regret during divorce. However, when these damaging statements are directed at a child, they can especially have a long-term negative impact on the child emotionally and mentally. Here are a couple of statements that divorcing parents should ideally avoid speaking to their children to protect their children’s mental health long term.
Statements to avoid speaking to a child of divorce
First, it is wise for divorcing parents to avoid saying anything negative about each other when speaking with their children. The reason for this is that children are 50 percent of Dad and 50 percent of Mom, so when either parental unit is criticized, the children may feel berated as well. The children might then become protective and defensive of the parent being criticized, therefore damaging their relationships with the critical parent.
Second, divorcing parents might want to avoid telling their children that the children’s difficult behavior caused them to fight and ultimately get divorced. Upon hearing this, children may blame themselves for the divorce even more than they would have otherwise. This can impact their self-esteem both now and in the future.
Carefully navigating the process
Even though divorce can be emotionally challenging for the entire family, an attorney in Missouri can help to make it as amicable as possible. For instance, an experienced attorney may help a divorcing individual to work out issues such as child custody outside of court, thus avoiding the stress and conflict that often come with traditional divorce litigation. Having the proper help and support during this process can significantly increases one’s odds of achieving the best possible outcome.
