| Divorce is an ongoing process in a person's life. As | | | | able to establish a healthy emotional environment for |
| people pass through the different stages of divorce, | | | | their children. |
| their experiences are unique to their situations. There is | | | | During a divorce it is common for emotions to surface |
| no such thing as a typical divorce. All parents must | | | | and very tempting to get caught in historical arguments. |
| strive to find out what works effectively for their | | | | The end result is almost always hurtful and the focus |
| individual family. When children are involved, the result | | | | on the children's best interest is often lost. Leave the |
| does not have to end with a negative impact. | | | | issues of your marriage in the past to avoid the pain |
| Co-parenting during and after a divorce helps to | | | | that lead to the divorce. Find ways to discuss your |
| reassure children that the parental roles will continue. It | | | | feelings and receive the support needed from family, |
| applies to all parents whether they are married or | | | | friends or health professionals to help guide you |
| divorced. The extent to which parents can effectively | | | | through the difficult stages. Taking the time to address |
| co-parent and refrain from conflict in the presence of | | | | your own needs will help your children. Children will feel |
| their children greatly determines how children will adjust | | | | more secure if they sense that their parents are |
| to the transitions associated with divorce. As most | | | | emotionally healthy. Having healthy outlets for your |
| experts will agree, the continued conflict and | | | | own feelings will help you get through the divorce |
| disparaging of the other parent are the most harmful | | | | process successfully and alleviate some of the stress |
| aspects of divorce and the most detrimental to | | | | associated with it. |
| children. | | | | Divorce does not have to mean that children will |
| Becoming healthy, cooperative parents and working | | | | suffer. The parents may be deciding to end their |
| together for your children's sake is one of the most | | | | marriage, but that is separate from their responsibilities |
| beneficial things that parents can do for their children. | | | | as a parent. Children should be able to continue to |
| Parents who successfully transition from being a | | | | have a healthy relationship with each parent whether |
| married couple to supportive divorced parents will be | | | | they are married or not. |