February 16, 2022

Supporting Your Teenager Through Divorce

Practice Area: Family Law | Tag: Divorce

The decision to get divorced is difficult and often taxing on your mental and emotional well-being, especially when children are involved. Divorce can severely impact your teenager’s development in the most formative years of their life. Supporting your teenager through your divorce takes patience and understanding. Follow these tips to best support your teen through divorce.

Listen 

Every teenager will process a divorce in their own way and in their own time. It is crucial to listen to their concerns and keep the lines of communication open. If your teen is having difficulty discussing their feelings with you, bringing in a nonbiased third-party like a trained counselor to help your teen navigate this emotional time may be the best option. Do not be afraid to ask for help. 

Consider Mediation 

Mediation is an excellent alternative to traditional litigation. Not only is it more private, but it also leads to a fair outcome that focuses on putting the needs of your child first. Often, the mediator will speak with your teen to get their input and understand their needs. For a teenager, this can be reassuring, knowing what to expect for the future and having an opportunity to voice their preferences.

Sticking to Routines

To a teenager, divorce can feel like the end of the world. Any divorce lawyer will tell you that keeping any routines for your child will help tremendously. The simplest routines like having dinner together, attending sporting events, and helping with homework will ease the transition into this new phase. Involving your co-parent as much as possible will put the focus on your child rather than the divorce.

Remember, your teenager is still a child. Just because their age is older, they still may not understand the why behind your divorce. Give your teen the space to talk, time to process and heal, as well as yourself. If you are looking for an experienced mediator to help you navigate the divorce process or renegotiate child support, child custody, or parenting time, give us a call to schedule a free consultation.