Author: Computing Services

What is Divorce & How Does It Affect Our Children?

Dictionary.com defines divorce by 1) the legal dissolution of marriage and 2) a complete or radical severance of closely connected things. The first definition is like the picture here where a divorcing couple rips their one heart apart while their child falls through the crack. But, when children are involved, the second definition is what is real. In other words, divorce is more like a couple who rips their children apart, “their closely connected things.” Divorce can be devastating to children, especially in school, because it undermines Maslow’s Hierarchy of Needs. Granted, some divorces are for the best, and it is proven that some children, with the right help, cope with it just fine. Some even excel. But, we must not forget that some divorces can tear at a child’s heart, brain, and soul. Young children are developing at an exponential rate. Teachers cannot afford to miss even one day in a child’s education. Therefore, every child experiencing a divorce should immediately enter into some type of a program for emotional reconciliation. Do not wait, observe, and then react. Enter now!

Corbis.com

Support Groups
The DC Resource Guide is a must for parents. If what you need is not here, the please visit http://www.divorcecentral.com/resource/organization.html#Children. Here are some of their listings.
National Association of Child Advocates 1522 K Street, NW, Suite 600 Washington, DC 20005 Eve Brooks, President (202) 289-0777
Divorce Support 5020 West School Street Chicago, IL 60641 Cynthia Dickstein-Kowaczek, Director (312) 286-4541
New Beginnings 13129 Clifton Road Silver Spring, MD 20904 Carol Randolph, Founder (301) 384-0111

Reading
Walking
Running
Skating
Biking
Hiking
Aerobics
Weights
Basketball
Baseball
Frisbee
Skateboard
Water Ski
Jet Ski
Sailing
Surfing
Gymnastics
Wrestling
Softball
Golfing
Fishing
Bowling
Pool
Ping Pong
Darts
Dancing
Football
Eating Out
Band/Sing
Concert
Zoo
Plays
Opera
Park/Swings
Picnic
Movies
Museum
Pavilion
Hunting
Gardening
Snow Skiing
Snowmobiling
Soccer
Bad-mitten
Volleyball
Shopping
Praying

Books that Heal

PARENTS MUST READ TO THEIR CHILDREN!

The Complete Idiot’s Guide to Surviving Divorce, (2nd Edition), Amazon.com

Helping Your Kids Cope with Divorce the Sandcastles Way, Amazon.com

It’s Not Your Fault, Amazon.com

This site has every conceivable support group available from children, moms, dads, and even grandparents: DivorceCentral.com
This sub-site is a must. It it titled the Total Parenting Handbook. These chapters cover everything from Understanding Custody, Telling the Kids, Helping with Grief, Visitation, Holidays, Money, and Eliminating Parent Conflict: www.divorcecentral.com/parent/handbook/index.html
Purchase and Read some books: Amazon.com
Find out about everything from parenting, remarriage, money matters, to chat rooms: DivorceMagazine.com

Coping with Divorce

A message for the whole family.

By Joey Ray Liesinger, College of Education,
DSU, Madison, SD

liesingj@pluto.dsu.edu
605-261-1555