Dealing with Parents' Divorce
For those that experienced their parents getting divorced, what was your initial reaction when you first heard about it? How did you deal with that challenge and did both of your parents still stay "good friends" after divorce was finalized? I am just asking since I am going through the same with my parents at the moment.
I was 6 when my parents set me down and told me they were getting divorced. I remember bawling my eyes out but my mom told me I cheered (lol?). I was sad about it though because you want your parents to stay together. They did not stay friends after the divorce and the contact was pretty awkward. Now well over 15 years later they don’t have any contact unless it’s something to do with my sibling or me.
It can be challenging to navigate the divorce of your parents. Feel free to reach out if you want to talk to someone about it. Wishing you luck <3
@wandamx26
Every relationship is different and some may be able to stay friends. It may depend on reasons for the divorce.
I have seen many parents make things worse by not really dealing with kids ( depending on age) about reasons for the divorce. Truth is important if kids find out details later makes some lose respect/ trust in parents.
It does not have to be awkward and you may find you like your parents better when they are happier / apart. We forget that parents are individuals and have dreams/ feelings and sometimes do not live that way Example stay at a job they hate because pay/ benefits for family ... no longer in love but fake it for photos or such. Stay for kid or such. when you are grown you will see what a sacrifice some actually made.... Divorce is an end of what people thought was going to happen and is a bit harder as new things we did not imagine happen .....but for many it really is better for everyone.
Mine weren't married but they when they sat us down to say they were splitting up. It didn't really feel real, I remember at the end of the day, I asked my mum if it really happened. They said they will remain friends but shortly after my dad moved out, it just went downhill and I got caught in the middle of all their arguments. I'd say that instead of being nice and letting them vent, might just be better to ask them to not bad mouth the other to you, feel like it would of helped me if I did that. I remember breaking up with my girlfriend a week later and it kind of did a 180 and broke my heart so them arguing just didn't help. I hope your okay
@wandamx26
That’s rough. I’m really sorry to hear about what you’re going through. Parents divorcing can take a toll on the whole family. As a child, I didn’t really understand what it meant. I just knew that my mum and dad were now going to live at different houses and that my time would be split between the two.
I definitely experienced confusion about what was happening, why, and what was going to happen moving forward. I think it’s not uncommon to feel a loss of stability and sometimes feel as though you’re caught in the middle.
I think it’s important to remember you aren’t alone and can get through this.
I think it’s helpful to talk to people about it and also to try to stay connected to both parents by spending quality time with each and expressing how you feel.