Without a doubt, a family is the ultimate driving force that helps a child develop into a wholesome person. Often, a family is why a child cannot grow to its fullest due to a lack of proper family dynamics. Many children have dysfunctional families that have some sort of effect on their minds. Divorce and problematic issues are prevalent, especially in the US. Many problems can lead to divorce. However, a child gets most affected because of parent issues and lack of adequate support. Mostly, parents are highly involved in dealing with their problems. They tend to ignore the impact of parent issues or divorce on their child.
The psychological effects of divorce on a child can vary. There are many reasons why parents can have problematic issues. However, most couples stay together for their children’s sake, and it does them no good. While a child may want to witness their parents together, an unhappy home is more mentally damaging. Growing up with divorced parents is very different than with both parents happy together. Children tend to make their parents role models, and their personality also contains some harmful elements.
Not every child is the same; some children can cope with parent divorce very quickly. However, it is unfair to ignore children and their mental issues due to their unhealthy relationships. Most divorces are due to violence, some problematic issues, and some are due to a mutual decision. However, divorce based on a mutual decision does not have a highly damaging effect on the child. Parents can be highly ignorant of their child’s mental issues due to other stressful factors. Thinking about future custody, emotional turmoil, and asset separation is the most significant cause of parents ignoring child mental issues.
Parents must provide their child a shoulder to lean on no matter what. Some parents handle their children well when dealing with divorce. On the other hand, it is essential to communicate with your children and keep them on the same page. Divorce, on a wrong note, can create a lot of emotional turmoil within children. It is daunting to make a child choose between either of their parents. Parental divorce may cause a child to feel vulnerable and emotionally unstable for longer. The negative effects of divorce on children are unmeasurable. However, children must accept that two peaceful homes are better than one damaging family environment. Let’s analyze factors that can help cope with a child with parental divorce:
The role of parents in helping children mentally after a divorce
Effects of divorce on mental health are numerous, but a child can cope with it if parents stand by them. A family is indeed a safe space for children. However, the safety feeling is snatched away from a child when their parents have unsettling issues. Parent separation is much more convenient to observe than seeing two people unhappy. Parents can undoubtedly help their children cope with divorce, and here is how:
1. Communication
Communication plays a fundamental role in maintaining a healthy relationship with anyone. A child tends to establish multiple negative scenarios in their mind when dealing with parent issues. However, the fear of the unknown in parent issue situations can cause anxiety and depression. In such cases, parents must step in and console their children. Sometimes, even a comforting phrase can do wonders. Parents must not be selfish all the time and give importance to their child’s mental issues. They must try to communicate with their children and acknowledge their feelings.
2. Therapy
There are some issues in life that a person cannot simply get over. Sometimes, parents can become bitter with their children when they are going through mental turmoil. Children and innocent, and they tend to judge a situation from a neutral perspective. On the other hand, parent issues can lead to children split into two halves. Often, it is stressful for children to choose either parent as they want to stay with both. The circumstances may not allow such a thing to happen, which can lead to permanent mental trauma. After divorce, parents must check up on their child and suggest therapy to make things better.
3. Maintaining a cordial relationship
It is hard not to hold a grudge with your ex-husband or wife if the divorce was due to a complicated issue. However, parents must try and maintain a cordial relationship with their ex-partners. Children feel a lot less burdened when their parents do not impose their opinion. A child must have the freedom to live with both parents when they desire. While it is hard to maintain a good relationship with your ex-partner after divorce, it is worth giving it a try.
How to improve child mental health overall?
Children are innocent, and they tend to take every stressful situation seriously, especially if it involves parents. Sometimes, children are born mentally healthy, and they do not need extra guidance to cope. However, some children may perceive situations differently, and they need additional advice to cope. Parents need to include healthy habits within their child’s routine to help them build robust mental health. The best time to introduce healthy habits in a child’s routine is the adolescent stage. Some healthy habits include:
1. Optimistic behavior
Parents play a huge role in making a child learn positivity and optimistic behavior. However, a parent cannot verbally induce such habits within a child. Children learn from actions, and if parents are positive, children are likely to be positive. It is crucial to have a positive mindset to tackle complex issues without compromising your mental health. Parental divorce is tough on a child, and there is nothing optimistic about the situation. However, parents can still tackle the problem without any long-term damage to their child’s mental health. First, it is essential to keep your children out of arguments. It is necessary to keep a positive attitude and handle everything with a calm mind. Overall, a child can manage through any hardship if they are positive.
2. Healthy diet
While a healthy diet does wonders for mental health, it is essential to make up for deficiencies through natural supplements. THC oil is not a new product in the market, but it undoubtedly shows some phenomenal effects on mental health. CBD bud is also a new variant of CBD that integrates rich antioxidants that help stabilize hormones. However, it is imperative to do your research before opting for any natural supplements. Maintaining a healthy lifestyle such as proper sleep and exercise also naturally contributes to strengthening mental health.
3. Empower children
Children do not learn necessary coping mechanism skills on their own. Parents need to keep their difference aside and focus on seamless child upbringing. On the other hand, a child is like a clean slate, and parents can teach them whatever value they desire. Hence, it is better if a child knows how to cope with trickier situations. Distractions and keeping busy helps a lot when dealing with turmoil and changing family dynamics.
Overall, a child is sensitive, and they tend to feel things more than parents assume. It is essential to keep checking a child’s mental health, especially if the whole family is dealing with a difficult situation. It can take a long time to cope, but proper care and communication can help speed up the process.