Dealing With Divorce and Separation

Some teenagers see it coming - the bitter fighting, the name calling, and the door slamming - but others are totally surprised when they learn that their parents are separating or divorcing. Though this may be the best thing for your parents' relationship, it can be hard to imagine that being torn apart is best for your family. When it comes to dealing with divorce and separation, remember that your family is not ending, it is just changing. This may seem like the same thing at first, but in the long run you will come to accept your parents' decision and hopefully realise that it was for the best.
Give Yourself Time to Grieve
Divorce and separation can seem an awful lot like the death of your family, and in a way it is - the death of your family as you know it, anyway. This is a major event, so don't try to gloss over it or ignore it. Give yourself time to grieve by:- Crying in the bedroom, screaming in the shower or throwing plastic in the garage.
- Being happy or relieved that home is no longer a battleground.
- Talking it all out with your friends.
- Writing a poem, recording a song or painting a picture of your feelings.
- Working through your anger on the pitch, track or in the pool.
- Splurging on a little something to make yourself feel better, even if only for a little while.
Pick Yourself Up and Carry On
It's good to grieve, but not forever. Before you sink into a deep depression, get yourself thrown out of school or irreparably damage your future, remember to pick yourself up and carry on with your life. A lot of teens find it is helpful to:- Talk with their parents as adults and ask any questions they still have.
- Engage in a new hobby or activity as a kind of new beginning.
- Decorate a room, or even a corner, in their parent's new homes.
- Contribute to whatever visitation schedule is worked out.
- Ask both parents to continue visiting their schools, sports matches, plays, etc.
- Agree to ground rules promoting respect and discussion.
- Tell both parents that they will not act as spies or messengers for them.
- Let parents know when they will feel comfortable meeting new partners.
Even if you don't understand it, trust that your parents' decision was made with you in mind. You don't have to enjoy it, but you do have to respect it and survive it. Good luck.
Re: Questionnaire: Are You Addicted to Social Networking Sites?
Hello, I am also doing research on the topic Impact of Social media networking on the…
Re: Let's Talk About Sex
I want to have sex with a boy and we have talked about it. But the thing is im only 13. I was thinking we could masturbate together or have…
Re: All about Abortion
If you think you’re pregnant then go to your local NHS walk-in or doctors. There’s absolutely no shame in asking for help, and there is…
Re: Questionnaire: Are You Addicted to Social Networking Sites?
Hello, I`m also conducting a research, may i use your questionnaire and to know the…
Re: ADHD - Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder - How To Diagnose And Treat It
I have ADHD and i can't read a book because i can't concentrate…
Re: Coping with a Crush
There is this guy I’ve told him that I like him and he told me that he likes me. So I asked him to go on a date/be my boyfriend and he said…
Re: Warning Signs of Self Harming
I have only very recently started self harming but my friends have being doing it for a while.The reason i started was because of…
Re: Questionnaire: Are You Addicted to Social Networking Sites?
Kindly give suggestion and idea about Social Network
Re: All about Abortion
Im so afraid. Im 14 and me and my boyfriend shared our first time together, he's 15 but we're in the same year. I know its been like 12 hours…
Re: All about Abortion
Im 16 my gf is 15 6 months between us i think she is pregnant it was a total accident but she deosnt want her parents finding out my mother…