Children of Divorce

Marriages end for many reasons, and for most couples, the only way to end it is through divorce. Prenuptial agreements are the norm these days for precisely this reason; it assures the couple of a relatively fair division of assets and properties. However, for couples with children, divorce presents a more difficult problem: custody. More often than not, it's the children who are the casualties of divorce, especially an acrimonious one. Children feel just as much emotional stress as their divorcing parents, if not more. Being caught in the middle of a divorce is a traumatic experience; they may even blame themselves for their family breaking up.

Many parents fight over child custody: who gets to keep the children, whether to relocate or not, and visitation rights. It is important to keep in mind that the children must remain the divorcing couple's highest priority. The psychological damage of seeing one's mother and father fighting may take years to heal, especially with kids old enough to understand the implications of divorce in their lives. Children need reassurance that both parents still love them, in spite of their marriage not working out. It also helps for the mother and father to talk to their kids and explain what is going on, in simple terms they will understand. The most important thing for divorcing couples to remember is to put their children's interests above their own, and provide emotional support during this uncertain time. After all, the end of a marriage does not end one's obligation to love and nurture the product of that union.