Kentucky parents who are going through a divorce will need to ensure that the needs of their children are met during a difficult time. They should refrain from treating their sons or daughters like confidants or rely on them as a support system. As a general rule, they are unable to provide such support. A parent should be sure to never say anything bad about the child’s other parent when spending time with the child.
It is appropriate to ask a child if he or she feels responsible for the marriage ending. Parents should also be on the lookout for nonverbal signs of sadness or depression that a child could exhibit. This is because younger children may have trouble articulating how they feel with their words. It can be a good idea to talk with a child’s teachers or other adults that he or she interacts with as a means of keeping tabs on that child.
Children should never be used as a means of gathering information on the other parent. Furthermore, a child should never be interrogated or asked questions about what the other parent is doing. As a general rule, a parent should never take any steps that could be seen as putting the child in the middle of a dispute.
In a divorce, it is generally a good idea for parents to keep the best interest of the child ahead of their own. This may help children feel safe and secure in a time of upheaval and uncertainty. Ideally, parents will work together to provide stability and boundaries for a son or daughter.