Divorced+Families

Divorced Families

A child's response :    Older infants and toddlers need more reassurance once they realize one parent is always gone. Toddler's may slow down in their growth skills, but with love reassurance they will get them back. Preschoolers and elementary children will blame themselves for the divorce. All children need to have reassurance, love and a connection with the parent that no longer lives at home. Making a smooth transition :   It is important the parents who are recently divorced keep a good relationship in favor of their children. The parent who leaves a family should still have contact and a healthy relationship with their children. Skills and parent/child relationships will change, parents should be patient to the adjustments. The parent that the child lives with should be understanding and comforting to the child's feelings. What can teachers do :  Teachers should keep communication with both parents, that way everyone is in on the decisions of the child's education. Teachers need to be patient with a student dealing with a parent divorce, they will bring the stress of home to school. Teachers should be aware of any changes in how the child with be going home from school to help the child with any possible confusion. Teachers should offer convenient times for parent-teacher conferences, allowing parents to come together or separate. Help students become more involved in school activities to get their mind off things at home. Support Links: http://www.helpguide.org/mental/children_divorce.htm http://www.helpguide.org/mental/coparenting_shared_parenting_divorce.htm http://www.earlychildhoodlinks.com/parents/divorcedparents.htm http://www.nasponline.org/resources/parenting/divorce_ho.aspx