As you plan for divorce, you will answer a variety of questions pertaining to your personal life and finances. If you have children with your soon-to-be ex-spouse, it’s critical to keep their well-being in mind at all times.
Regardless of their age, if your children are old enough to speak, they are likely to have questions about your divorce. Here are five that you should prepare for:
- Why is this happening? You don’t have to get into the finer details, but you shouldn’t dodge the question either. Explain that some people fall out of love, and divorce is often the result.
- Will we continue to live together? This is a difficult question to answer, as some children may not understand that divorce means living in separate households. The best thing you can do is explain the arrangement, making it clear that they’ll get to spend time with both parents in the future.
- Will you fix things with mom or dad? Many children assume that divorce is only temporary. They believe that you’ll work things out with your ex and get back together. You don’t want to give your children false hope, so carefully consider how you answer this question.
- Where am I going to live? If you have an answer, this is a good time to share it. If you don’t, maybe because you still have to work things out in your divorce, explain that they’ll always have a nice place to call home.
- Is this because of something I did? Many children take on the blame for a divorce. It’s your job to make it clear that they were not responsible for your decision to move on from your marriage. You don’t want your children to live with this burden.
When planning for divorce, you should expect your children to ask a variety of questions. Preparing for these will help you avoid an awkward situation in which you don’t have an answer.
Once you’re on the same page as your children, you’ll be more confident in your ability to efficiently move through the divorce process.
Read our website and blog for more information on topics associated with divorce and other family law matters in Pennsylvania.