How to Reduce Divorce’s Impact on Kids
In my experience as a divorce lawyer in Austin, I have learned that there is no more challenging issue for families than the impact of divorce on the children that are involved. Despite the fact that kids might experience trauma as their parents grew apart over time, the real damage from such an event can come when the separation is compete.
You can learn more about some of those life changes by watching our Austin divorce seminar. Adults in the life of the child become very important as sources of understanding, love, support and caring. In school, the adults that have the most contact with children are teacher’s and TA’s. This short article provides some guidance and information for educators working with children from divorced families.
As things change at home, teachers should be the first to notice how it effects children. Unfortunately, many teachers focus solely on the benchmarking and testing required by No Child Left Behind. Some teachers have started to focus on the process itself instead of the needs of the kids in their charge.
Secondly, educators should become familiar with resources in the community that are available for children living in divorced homes. Financial assistance for child care and after-school programs for single parents are just a couple of examples.
Thirdly, educators should work with school administration to support the addition of social workers and school counselors who provide intervention and support for children experiencing the family trauma of divorce. Since children the majority of each weekday at school, this is the natural location for behavioral health services and related social supports.
It’s imperative for educators to make time to meet with, and listen to, single parents whenever it’s possible to spend one-on-one time with them. It’s not a lot of time, but it gives parents a chance to share information with the teacher as well as ask questions about what’s going on with their children.
Significant changes in a child’s life that are not addressed in the early stages of the change can lead to life-long emotional and attachment challenges for the child. We understand this need and attempt to minimize the impact to children by using collaborative law in Austin. Teachers have the ability to give support and sometimes intervene when children and their newly single parents may need it most. A key action steps for today’s teacher is to provide openings for conversations with a child and to take the time to recognize changes in them.