Child custody cases can increase stress on the children

Child custody is one of the aspects of divorce that is very emotional. Parents usually want to assert their own preferences when it comes to the child custody matters. That, however, can oftentimes make the divorce difficult on the children. Going through a divorce with their parents is almost always a stressful experience for the children.

It is all too easy for parents to get into a child custody battle with each other while forgetting that the children are often feeling the effects of the split. In most cases, children don’t want their parents to get a divorce. Some children might not realize that there was an issue between their parents, especially if there weren’t turbulent times in the home that the children witnessed.

Children are very resilient, but that doesn’t mean parents shouldn’t be worried about how the child is faring during the divorce. Instead, parents must take the time to talk with children. They should listen to their children and take cues from the children about how they are feeling. If the child is becoming depressed, moody, angry or disobedient, the parents must take the time to look into ways to help the child.

Many children wonder about what life would be like if their parents were still married. They might think they have a more difficult childhood or believe that their childhood was cut short. In some cases, they might question a parent’s love or think that they are going to go through a divorce when they get older. All of these can lead to emotional and mental trauma for the child.

Parents who are going through a divorce should always make sure that the children are put first throughout the process. Simply knowing what to expect can often help children to feel more secure, so parents should make sure they understand the divorce process.

Source: The Truth About Children and Divorce, “How Divorce Affects Children,” Robert E. Emery, Ph.D., accessed Sep. 06, 2015