During the divorce process, children often have specific wants and needs to help them navigate this challenging time. It will be your job, as parent, to keep a close eye to address the potential threats that could upset the balance of your child’s emotional well-being.

While these desires can vary from child to child, some common things that children may want include:

Love and Reassurance: Children want to feel loved and reassured by both parents. They need to know that divorce doesn’t diminish their parents’ love for them.

Stability and Routine: Children crave stability and predictability. Maintaining consistent routines and schedules can provide a sense of security during a tumultuous period.

Open Communication: Children want their parents to talk to them honestly and age-appropriately about divorce. They may have questions and need answers to help them understand what’s happening.

Freedom from Conflict: Kids wish to be shielded from parental conflicts. They don’t want to be caught in the middle of disputes or used as messengers between parents.

Respect for Their Feelings: Children want their feelings to be acknowledged and respected. They need to know that it’s okay to feel sad, angry, or confused about divorce.

Involvement in Decision-Making: Depending on their age and maturity, some children may want to have a say in decisions that affect their lives, such as living arrangements or visitation schedules.

Time with Both Parents: Children typically desire ongoing relationships with both parents. They want to spend quality time with each parent and maintain their existing bonds.

Supportive Relationships: Kids may wish to maintain relationships with extended family members, such as grandparents, aunts, uncles, and cousins, who provide additional sources of support and love.

Access to Information: As they grow older, children may want access to information about the legal and financial aspects of divorce that may affect their future.

Counseling or Support: Some children may express a desire for counseling or support groups to help them process their emotions and connect with peers facing similar situations.

Permission to Love Both Parents: Children want permission to love both parents without feeling disloyal to either one. They should never feel pressured to take sides.

Continued Pursuit of Their Interests: Kids want to continue pursuing their hobbies, interests, and extracurricular activities. These activities provide a sense of normalcy and identity.

Consistency in Parenting Styles: Children appreciate consistency in parenting styles between households, as it reduces confusion and conflict.

It’s important to note that children’s needs and wants can evolve as they grow and as the divorce process unfolds. Parents should be attentive to their children’s emotional needs and try to provide the support and stability necessary for their well-being during this challenging time. Communication, empathy, and a child-centered approach are key to meeting their needs effectively.