Divorce. The word can mean so many different things to different people. For some, the word symbolizes freedom from an oppressive, unhappy, or unsatisfying relationship. For others, it represents the pain of split-apart families and heartbroken spouses.

Of course, some people do not take divorce very seriously. And of course, they are the same ones that do not take marriage seriously. For those people, marriage is something that is not necessarily designed to last forever.

But for most folks, when they decide to tie the knot of marriage, they mean it to last forever. That is why they confidently go forth and build a life together. They settle down, find a way to earn a living, and often, they have kids.

The Pain of Divorce

For the majority of people who do take marriage seriously, divorce is a painful event. Whether it is a husband leaving his wife or a wife leaving her husband, for the person who leaves it is still painful. After all, the couple decide to get married in the first place because of very real feelings they had for each other. Even now, when things have gotten so bad that the couple wants to divorce, many of the old, good feelings remain.

The Psychological Effect of Divorce on Children – 5 Insights

Of course, divorce is especially challenging for the children of the family to deal with. No matter how tough or resilient the young person may be, the prospect of a parent’s divorce can be devastating. If you are wondering, “Does divorce have a psychological effect on children?”, here are 5 insights about the psychological effect of divorce on children:

1. Children may already know something is seriously wrong with the marriage: It is wise to give your children credit for their insight, sensitivity and knowledge in advance. By the time a divorce is discussed openly with the children, they likely have already sense that things are going in that direction. Don’t be surprised if they already know something is up.

2. The announcement of the divorce can be devastating: Even still, actually hearing the words come out of the parents’ mouth can be challenging – even devastating.

3. Children may try to sabotage or stop the divorce: Some children may try to do things to take attention away from the divorce, like act out at school, run away, or drastically change their attitude.

4. Be prepared to answer questions and assure them it’s not their fault: Be ready to answer any questions that your kids may have about the divorce. It is very important to assure them that this is not their fault.

5. The effects of the divorce can last for years: The children of divorced parents will surely carry the memory of the event with them for the rest of their lives. This is not necessarily a bad thing, but it is a fact.

Of course, over time, most children can get over their own pain regarding a divorce. The amount of time this takes will vary by child.

If you or your spouse are considering divorce, it is important to understand the potential effects that your decision will have on your children. While these effects are not necessarily reason enough to call off the divorce, understanding the effects will help you deal with them effectively and compassionately.

Author Bio: Want to avoid a divorce and restore your marriage back to happiness? Get advice from a relationship expert who has saved thousands of marriages at: Restore Your Marriage to Happiness.

Category: Relationships
Keywords: Does Divorce Have A Psychological Effect On Children,5 Insights on Divorce, divorce and children