Helping children cope with divorce

Mott, S. (ed.). (1985). Therapeutic guidelines for helping children cope with divorce. In The nursing care of children and families. Addison-Wesley.

OVERVIEW

This article offers helpful suggestions for dealing with children experiencing divorce:

• Assess the strengths and limitations of the family system.
• Assess the relationships of the significant parties within and without the family system.
• Identify what changes the divorce has caused in the social, emotional, interactional, and economic aspects of the family’s life.
• Be available as a listener, without taking sides or being judgmental.
• Help the family to realistically assess the situation and the options available.
• Talk with the children; identify how they perceive what is happening; be open to cues regarding changes in their social and school activities; and watch for depression and signs that the child might be contemplating suicide.
• Help parents and children to communicate openly and honestly.
• Refer the family or family members to appropriate professionals.