Children who have divorced parents will have to learn how to adjust to a life that’s divided between two homes. This is a major transition that can lead to some children feeling stressed out.
It’s up to the child’s parents to find ways to make it as easy as possible for the children to move between those two homes. These tips may be beneficial for these situations.
1. Give them their own space
One of the best ways to help the children to adjust to two homes is for each parent to ensure the child has their own space in each home. This may be a bedroom, but it may also be a certain area of the home if the child won’t have their own bedroom. Allow them to have some freedom in decorating their space.
2. Encourage them to settle in
You need to set the house rules for the children. This should be done right away so the children can settle into the home. Some parents are tempted to let some rule infractions slide at first, but this can be confusing for the children.
3. Provide them with a chance to decompress
Children need to be able to decompress on transition days. Helping them to be comfortable in your home could start with having something low-key on each transition day. For example, you could grab a pizza and watch a favorite show or movie together.
Setting up the parenting plan as soon as the split happens may help everyone involved to adjust to the new way of life. This should include terms that let both parents know what they’re responsible for. Getting this set may be challenging, but working with someone who’s familiar with these situations may be beneficial.