Transitioning from living in one home to two is rather difficult for children. The safety of having their parents in the same home and the support that comes with that is shaken. It’s up to the parents to find ways to show the children that they will still have safety, security and support, just in a different way than before.
One way that parents can provide support during this transition period is to help children see that both homes are theirs. If one parent remains in the marital home, the children may not have too much trouble adjusting there. The other parent may need to do more work.
Create new traditions
New traditions in the new home can help them to feel better about the change that comes with their parents’ divorce. This doesn’t have to involve anything intricate or expensive. Instead, it can be something as simple as having ice cream and watching a movie on the first night each time the children come back to that parent’s home.
Give them a space
Giving a child their own space does more than just help to keep your home neat. They may also feel as though they belong in the home once they have this. Even if they don’t have an entire room, make sure they have somewhere they can call their own.
It may also help to get the parenting plan together as soon as possible so everyone can adjust to the new way of life. The children’s best interests must be at the heart of the plan, so it may be best to work with someone who can assist with setting it up.