Child psychology: How to help children navigate parents' separation

The period during which parents go through a separation or divorce can be profoundly challenging for children Feelings of confusion sadness anger and a myriad of other emotions may surge often all at onceIANSlife caught up with Dr Puneet Dwevedi Chief of Mental Health and Behavioural Science and Dr Chandrima Misra Mukherjee CoHead Clinical Psychologist at Artemis Hospital Gurugram and this is what they had to say to help children navigate this tumultuous timeEmotional ProcessingResist Selfblame First and foremost understand that your parents separation is not your fault While its natural to wonder if theres something you could have done differently its vital to remember that this is a decision made between adults based on their individual and collective experiencesYour Feelings are Normal Whatever youre feeling be it sadness anger confusion or even relief its normal Every child reacts differently to such situations and theres no right or wrong way to feel Ignoring or suppressing your emotions may lead to destructive behaviors later on Instead acknowledge them understand them and find ways to express them healthily Engage in physical activities pick up a new hobby journal your thoughts or spend time with friends Consider seeking professional help if feelings become overwhelmingConstruct a Safe Space Find a comfortable environment where you can reflect and process your feelings This could be a quiet corner of your room a park or even a library Seek out neutral adults to communicate with Having someone to talk to like a grandparent teacher school counselor or family friend can provide solace and guidance They can offer an outside perspective and a listening earCommunicate with Your Parents Theyre going through their challenges but its crucial to express how their separation affects you Keeping lines of communication open can help all involvedConflict Resolution with ParentsResist Taking Sides Understand that your parentsrsquo lived experiences feel overwhelmingly true to them even when they are in conflict Listening to one side of the story and taking action or seeking a resolution on that basis is unlikely to bear any fruitful outcomes Resist the urge that seeks to mediate or resolve This isnrsquot something you can fix and attempts to do so are likely to be hurtful experiences for both you and your parentsSet Boundaries This will be an emotionally charged time for all of you If you feel overwhelmed while acting as an emotional support for your parents it might be essential to set boundaries Remember that you too are dealing with the separation and need space and support to process your own feelings You might consider seeking intervention from trusted adults or recommending professional help for your parentsMaintain Healthy Relationships Even if you end up staying with one parent predominantly find ways to keep a healthy relationship with both This might include working out visitation schedules or finding shared activitiesLifestyle ChangesBe Prepared for Change A divorce often leads to significant lifestyle shifts Understand that these changes are a part of the process and can be navigated with time and patience You might have to move to a new home or change schools Remember change can be an opportunity for a fresh start There might be changes in financial dynamics leading to altered lifestyles Open conversations with your parents can help set expectations In time one or both of your parents may start dating It can feel strange but remember they too are humans with needs for companionshipDealing with parents separation is never easy but with the right approach resilience and support children can not only cope but also thrive in their new realities Remember its okay to seek help and lean on others during this challenging time concludes PuneetThis story has been sourced from a third party syndicated feed agencies Midday accepts no responsibility or liability for its dependability trustworthiness reliability and data of the text Midday managementmiddaycom reserves the sole right to alter delete or remove without notice the content in its absolute discretion for any reason whatsoever