One of the most difficult conversations I ever had was telling my son about my pending divorce. I struggled with the anxiety of guilt, shame, fear and dread for weeks in advance. When should I tell him? How should I tell him? Should I tell him alone or with his father? Most important of all, what should we say?
You have heard the old saying that a picture is worth a thousand words. The pictures you can present to your child can lead you through telling your story. You may be surprised at what you can find going through old photographs. I was delighted that my plan worked. When you are putting your pictures together, you will find the words. A picture can truly be worth a thousand words.
That original storybook became the genesis of my new book, How Do I Tell the Kids about the Divorce? A Create-a-Storybook Guide to Preparing Your Children ” with Love! The unique eBook, How do I tell my Children about the Divorce, provides customizable fill-in-the-blank age-appropriate templates. Parents can use these specially designed templates to prepare their children for the many changes ahead.
The new book also focuses on five key messages that are essential for every child to hear and understand when their parents divorce. It is imperative that you share these points with your children. This will enable them to better handle, accept and even embrace the challenges and changes they will soon be facing: This is not your fault. Mom and Dad will always be your parents. This is about change, not about blame. Things will work out okay. Mom and Dad will always love you.
The five core messages are the foundation your children will depend on when they are feeling frightened, sad or insecure. Repeat the five core messages often in your own words. Youll be rewarded in countless ways as you and your children encounter and overcome the challenges of life after divorce.
For free articles on Child-Centered Divorce, Rosalind’s ezine and many other valuable resources for parents go to: www.childcentereddivorce.com. You can also find Ms. Sedacca’s information at www.DivorceWithoutDishonor.com
