How to Deal With Your Parent's Divorce As An Adult

When your parents divorce when you are a child, it is very different from when they divorce when you are an adult. It may be easier or it may be harder depending on your situation. Follow these steps to deal with your parent's divorce as an adult.

Difficulty: Moderate

Instructions

1. Make time for both of your parents. Try not to choose sides (if that is possible) or play favorites. Be sure that you frequently call or visit both of them and rotate holidays or events so that both get mostly equal time with you.

2. Accept the fact that they may be dating other people now. Try not to judge their new partners. Be as accepting as you possibly can to their new lifestyle changes and dates.

3. Be available to talk to your parents if they would like to, but let them know if you do not feel comfortable talking about anything specific dealing with the divorce.

4. Do not spread gossip about one of your parents to the other parent. Keep things that you have discussed private.

5. Do not become the messenger for your parents. If they have something they need to say to one another, tell them they need to do that on their own.

6. Love them unconditionally, just as you would expect them to love you. Try to remain as close as ever to both of them.

[Wasatch]

on 11/9/2009 One unfortunate result of divorce is people who had parents divorce find it easier to divorce as well and have a substantially higher divorce rate. Same problem with a parent who commits suicide. Our actions and example cast a wide net, especially with those close to us.