Divorce is a difficult time for parents, but also for children. When parents separate, children often feel insecure and sad. For a child, the family is the place where they feel protected and loved. When the family changes, the child's emotions change too.

Studies show that divorce is a stressful event for children and can affect their emotional well-being and their behaviour.

Children aged 6–12 are at a very important stage of development. They are at school, making friends and beginning to understand family relationships better. For this reason, their parents' separation can affect them emotionally.

Sadness and a sense of loss

One of the most common emotions is sadness. Children may feel as though they have lost something important in their lives.

Children need time and support to understand the situation.

Anger and difficult behaviour

Some children don't express sadness, but anger. They may become more irritable or impatient.

Behaviours such as these may appear:

  • arguing with friends

  • disobeying their parents

  • irritability at school

These behaviours are often the way a child expresses the pain or insecurity they feel inside.

Feelings of guilt

Many children think that they are the cause of the divorce.

They may think:
"My parents split up because of me."

In reality this isn't true. Divorce is the parents' decision and has nothing to do with the child's behaviour. But if this isn't explained clearly, the child may carry this feeling for a long time.

Anxiety and insecurity

Children may feel insecure about the future. They may ask:

  • Where will I live?

  • When will I see my other parent?

  • Will my life change?

This insecurity can create anxiety and emotional stress in children.

Difficulties at school

Sometimes divorce also affects the child's school life.

Children may have:

  • difficulty concentrating

  • falling grades

  • less interest in school activities

This happens because their mind is occupied with family problems.

How parents can help their children

Although divorce is difficult, parents can do a great deal to help their children.

Some very important things are:

1. Talk openly with the child
Children need to understand that the divorce isn't their fault.

2. Stay calm and respectful
Intense conflict between parents does children a lot of harm.

3. Spend time with the child
Quality time with their parents makes children feel safer.

4. Maintain contact with both parents
Where possible, a relationship with both parents helps the child's emotional development.

Studies show that positive communication and support from parents help children adjust much better after divorce.

Divorce is a big change for the family and can bring emotions such as sadness, anger or insecurity in children aged 6–12. However, with love, communication and support from their parents, children can cope better with this period and continue to develop in an emotionally healthy way.

For parents and family members who want to better understand children's emotional world, reading psychology and parenting books can be a very valuable help. On librapsikologjike.com you can find useful books that help in understanding and supporting children in situations like these.