Divorce and separation
A large number of children in the UK will see their parents divorce or separate. When parents decide that they no longer love one another or no longer want to live as a couple it can be a very difficult time for young people.
Separation may mean a young person losing the home that they are used to, changing school and losing friends, not seeing one parent on a regular basis and experiencing family conflict.
Coping with these changes is not easy for anyone, and many children feel sad, guilty, angry and abandoned.
These feelings can lead to emotional and behavioural problems, such as disobedience, nightmares or clinginess. As a parent, you may be dealing with very difficult feelings yourself and it is sometimes very hard to protect your children from these.
However it is important to try and show them they are loved by both parents, and that the problem is not their fault. Try not to argue in front of them or use them in your arguments and if possible ensure that they have a relationship with both parents however acrimonious your split up has been.
Children should not be made to feel bad about missing the parent that no longer lives with them.
If you are finding it hard to cope, there is support available (see links at the bottom of this page). If you are concerned about your children's emotional wellbeing following divorce or separation, the Parents Information Service will be happy to discuss your worries.
Help from YoungMinds
YoungMinds publications that can help with concerns about divorce and separation
Visit our publications section
YoungMinds Parents Information Service can offer further advice helping a child deal with divorce and separation
Find out more about the Parents Information Service
Call us on 0800 018 2138
Contact us using our form
