High Conflict Divorce

The negative impact of high conflict divorce on children is real.  It can be scary, stressful, confusing, frustrating and exhausting.  It can lead to disruptions in comfort and routine, problems at school and create behavior changes and/or aggression and withdrawal.  Such changes may lead to unstructured and unhealthy risk-taking behaviors.  Children may likely suffer a feeling of great loss during this time and have to adjust to anxiety-provoking changes.  They may have to move, change schools, and/or adapt to a new economic situation.  All of these things depend on the age and development of the particular child, as children experience high conflict divorce in different ways.  The good news: you, as a parent, can help your children from experiencing such a negative response to your divorce.  The first thing you need to do is take off the blinders.  Recognize your own behaviors.  Manage your own emotions and learn how to appropriately handle yourself when your spouse pushes your buttons.  You need to do this for yourself and for your children’s well-being.  Most children will be able to adapt to the changes just fine – but it is the responsibility of each parent to make this difficult time as stress-free as possible.  If you don’t know how to stop the negative and harmful behavior – get help now.  Join a support group, talk to a counselor, seek out community resources and do your own research on the harmful effects of this behavior.  You won’t regret it.