Are you considering filing for divorce? If so, you might be wondering exactly how your child might be impacted by the process. It’s a challenging experience, after all, and that’s perhaps especially true for young children who are still growing and learning. There is good news to be had in this respect, however, as recent research has shown that children are incredibly resilient and can be just as successful and happy as children whose parents are not divorced. It just takes a little extra care and attention to help ensure that they thrive in the wake of your divorce.
Children Can Adapt
According to Constance Ahrons, a rather well-known and distinguished psychologist, has found through a 20-year study that around 80% of children whose parents obtain a divorce are able to lead healthy, successful, and happy lives. They are able to adapt to the new circumstances and thrive, in other words, as opposed to experiencing permanent negative effects to their mental or physical health. E. Mavis Hetherington, a developmental psychologist, agrees. She conducted a study including 2,500 children whose parents divorced and found roughly the same results as those reported by Ahrons.
How to Help
With the above information in mind, you might wonder how you can help ensure that your child adapts well and is part of the 80% of individuals mentioned above who go on to lead healthy and successful lives after their parents divorce. A professor at Cambridge, via a meta-study, has determined what most experienced professionals in this field believe children need in order to remain well-adjusted in the midst of a divorce. Among other things, the study explains that children can develop the meaningful, close relationship with both parents that helps them thrive even if those parents do not live in the same home and are not involved romantically. It is important to provide them with structure and support from both parents, and to give them as much consistency and stability with regards to social support and discipline possible. The “ideal” nuclear family, in other words, is not a prerequisite for a child to thrive.
We Can Help
If you are considering divorce, don’t worry – the attorneys at Lloyd & Hogan, Attorneys at Law, can help! Contact us today at 205.969.6235 for more information.