Divorce can be a trying time for all of those involved. This stressful process can not only be a big blow to the adults going through the divorce, but also for the couple’s children who may be having a tough time coping with their changing family dynamic and living situation. Oftentimes people want to ignore their feelings and emotions regarding a potentially traumatic experience such as divorce. However, burying and hiding these feelings will only make things worse. This is why many people going through divorce decide to have themselves and their children visit therapists in order for them to talk through their feelings about an impending divorce, so that they can begin to heal from the stressful, expensive and time consuming process.
Some people find it more useful to reach out to their family, friends and others and have them provide the support they need to help them get through a difficult divorce. Sadly, many children and adults do not already have the necessary support network in place to listen to them vent about concerns and frustrations regarding a divorce. Luckily, here in Connecticut, as well as the rest of the U.S., divorce support groups exist both for adults going through divorce, and also for children whose parents are separating. Activities in these meetings vary, but the ultimate goal is to provide a support network in order to assist people to maneuver through life following a divorce.
Support Group for Children
All children handle the divorce of their parents differently. Depending on the age of the child and their temperament, therapy and/or support groups might not be necessary in assisting a child in coming to terms with ending of their parents’ marriage. However, there are some red flags that a parent should watch out for after telling their child about an upcoming divorce. If these red flags are present, your child may require additional support in order to cope with their changing family structure and dynamics. These warning signs, which can indicate that a child is experiencing divorce-related anxiety, depression or other complications, include:
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Poor concentration;
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Self-injury, eating disorders or cutting;
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Sleep problems;
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Drug and/or alcohol abuse;
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Problems at school;
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Angry or violent outbursts; and
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Withdrawal from loved ones and previously favored activities.
Support Groups for Adults
Divorce support groups exists for those adults whose marriages are ending. Some divorce groups are co-ed, while others are only for men or women. While some support groups focus just on providing a platform for divorcing parties to vent their frustrations about an ex-spouse and the divorce process in general, other support groups focusing on helping members develop relevant skills required for newly single parents, and also provide tips on how to help divorced people get back on the dating scene.
If you are going through a divorce, contact the experienced Connecticut divorce attorneys at our law firm. We assist clients in Fairfield County, and are prepared to help you in any way that we can.