Separation and divorce can be especially hard on children, who often have a lingering sense of loss after the dissolution of their parents’ relationship. This issue has not gone unnoticed by the American Academy of Pediatrics, who have recently issued guidelines to pediatricians to help children remain healthy and positive following their parents’ separation .
Key Takeaways:
- Pediatricians can support children whose parents are going through a divorce by maintaining positive, neutral relationships with both parents, according to a new clinical report.
- “The pediatrician can help parents understand their children’s reactions to divorce or separation,” said one of the lead authors.
- Children’s reactions will also vary according to their temperament and their parents’ ability to focus on their needs and feelings.
“Many children show behavior changes in the first year of parent separation.”