What You Need to Know About Divorce When You Have Adopted Children
Divorce is a stressful and difficult situation for all individuals involved, both parents and children. However, if you are going through a divorce and you have adopted children, it is important to understand that this life event may have a heightened impact on your children due to their life experiences.
Adopted children may have a higher tendency to feel abandoned or rejected compared to children who are not adopted, so it is essential to promote a positive and loving environment for your adopted children despite the difficult emotions that divorce can stir up. Here, the divorce attorneys at Rodier Family Law detail best practices you can implement throughout your divorce so that your adopted children can handle this transition in the healthiest way.
Prioritize Your Children’s Needs
Divorce is often an overwhelming and time-consuming endeavor, and any children involved are not free from those emotions. Remember that you are consistently making sure your adopted children are emotionally cared for, despite the negativity a divorce can cause. Many adopted children are already familiar with feelings of loss or rejection, and many may have come from traumatizing backgrounds that lacked security or a strong family structure. That is why it is imperative to ensure your adopted children that they are loved and that the divorce is not their fault, as many children tend to feel guilty when their parents get divorced.
Do Not Speak Ill Of Your Ex-Spouse in Front of Your Children
Many adopted children crave structure and family security due to their respective pasts. Despite the irreconcilable issues between you and your spouse that ultimately led to your divorce, make sure you are not speaking ill of your ex-spouse in front of your children. Instead, remember that your ex-spouse is also still a parent of your adopted child, and that attempting to place your child in the middle of your conflicts with your spouse can trigger feelings of guilt or abandonment.
Create an Efficient Co-Parenting Schedule
In order to promote consistency and allow your adopted children to see both parents as equally and often as possible, consider implementing a balanced co-parenting schedule that works for both you and your ex-spouse. Your children will be craving balance and structure during this difficult time, and creating a set schedule for seeing each parent will help them feel secure. While we understand that each divorce scenario is drastically different, and it may be difficult to create an efficient plan that works for you, your ex-spouse and your children, it is always best to try to meet everyone’s needs as much as possible.
Provide Them the Unconditional Love They Need and Deserve
Above all, your adopted children want to feel loved and wanted. Through the thick of divorce and the time after, provide your children with unconditional love and attention they crave. Allow them to see you and your ex-spouse as much as they please, spend one-on-one quality time with them and resist dating or bringing new individuals into your live in the immediate aftermath of your divorce. Consistently verbalize to them how much you love them and want them to be happy. Most importantly, show them that you can be happy. You are a role model to your children, and by putting on a brave face and showing them that happiness can result from this difficult time, your children will feel more confident in their happiness as well.
Learn More with the Team of Divorce Attorneys at Rodier Family Law
The divorce attorneys at Rodier Family Law fully understand how impactful divorce can be on the entire family, which is why it is our priority to help you manage this difficult time as smoothly as possible. Our dedicated team will stand by your side from initial consultation to the finalization of your divorce and put your family’s needs first. To speak to a divorce attorney at Rodier Family law, contact our Bel Air office today.