Health Tip: Discussing Divorce With Kids

(HealthDay News) — Almost half of all marriages end in divorce, the American Academy of Family Physicians notes.

If you have children, it’s important for you as a parent to stress that the divorce is not their fault. You also should do your best to keep lines of communication open, the group says.

The academy recommends:

  • Be open and honest with your kids. Don’t keep your separation or divorce a secret. Get together with your kids and spouse and talk about the situation calmly.
  • Stress that the children did nothing wrong.
  • Emphasize that the children are most important to both of you, and stress how much you love them.
  • Keep the children’s routines as consistent as possible.
  • Keep in mind each child’s age, maturity level and temperament. Provide as much information as each child needs.
  • Don’t make rash decisions.
  • Don’t speak poorly about each other, and avoid blaming each other.