How are children affected?

A child may feel:

These feelings are often made worse by the fact that many children have to move home and sometimes school when parents separate. Most families in this situation come under some financial strain, even if they did not have money worries before.

Even if the parental relationship had been very tense or violent, children may still have mixed feelings about the separation. Many children hold on to a wish that their parents may get back together.

Whatever has gone wrong in the relationship, both parents still have a very important part to play in their child's life.

What type of difficulties can children present with?

Emotional and behavioural problems in children are more common when their parents are fighting or separating. Children can become very insecure. Insecurity can cause them to behave like they are much younger: bed-wetting, being clingy, nightmares, worries or disobedience can all occur. This behaviour often happens before or after visits to the parent who is living apart from the family. Teenagers may show their distress by misbehaving or withdrawing into themselves. They may find it difficult to concentrate at school.

What can I do to help?

Parents who are separating can help their children. They should protect them from adult worries and responsibilities, and make it clear that the responsibility for what is happening is the parents’ and not the child's.

Things that can help your child