Remember that divorce is confusing for children. When you first talk with children, limit your discussion to the most important issues; children can become confused if they are given too much information at once.children need to hear that their basic needs will be met, that someone will still fix breakfast in the morning, help them with their homework. Children also need to know that their relationship with both parents will continue, if possible. In the face of so many changes, children also need to hear what will remain the same. Parents can make sure their children through words and actions that their love will continue despite the changes in family life.
During these family discussions, it is important for parents to tell children that the divorce is final and avoid giving children false hopes that the parents will reunite. Parents can also use this time to tell children that the divorce is not their fault. Many children believe that the divorce is a result of something that they did. For instance, when asked why parents divorce, some children may explain that parents are divorcing because the children misbehaved or received bad grades in school. Remember to ask children about their fears and concerns. Give children time to think about the divorce and the changes ahead.
Take your children’s questions and concerns seriously and listen to what they say. As stated by one child, “This is gonna affect the rest of my life and I don’t know if they just don’t realize that, or don’t care, or what, but I don’t feel like I’m being heard.”
Children need to know that parents recognize the impact of divorce on children’s lives. By listening to children’s thoughts and feelings about the divorce, parents show their ongoing care and concern.
1. Which of the following can be the best title for the passage?
A. Talking with children about divorce.
B. The relationship between children and parents.
C. Don’t blame your child for divorce.
D. Showing more concern for your child.
2. If you first talk about your divorce with your son, .
A. you can tell him the real reason why you couple parted
B. you should say that you couple will remarry
C. you may as well tell him you still love him
D. you can avoid talking about your sorrow
3. Faced with a broken-up family, .
A. parents can provide numberless of reasons
B. parents can keep their relationship continued
C. parents should remove the worry of the child
D. parents must be careful and cautious
4. According to the passage parents’ divorce will .
A. make children filled with guilty
C. result in children’s grades going down
C. leave children lack self-confidence
D. cause children to be ill-tempered
5. If you were such a parent, you should do the following EXCEPT .
A. you should pay more attention to what your child talks about
B. you must care whatever your child is thinking about
C. you can blame the divorce on your partner
D. you’d better keep regular touch with your child