Divorce is stressful for the couple separating, but it also has a profound effect on children in Oregon. The specific impact typically varies based on the child’s age, and it can be very confusing for young ones.
According to Parents.com, toddlers have an especially hard time when it comes to divorce because they have a very strong bond with their parents. Any disruption at home can be hard to understand, and they think it is their fault. Some issues parents may notice include:
- Toilet training regression
- Excessive crying
- Attention seeking
- Difficulty sleeping
- Thumb sucking
Children who are of preschool age also tend to see a divorce as being their fault. They are also at a stage where they like to feel in control, and not being able to control what is happening between their parents is a tough concept. They may have more anger issues, have frequent nightmares or have unpleasant thoughts. Every Day Family discusses that preschoolers tend to also have a lot of sadness and abandonment issues.
There are a number of factors that tend to help young children cope better during a divorce. One is how the relationship between their parents is. The better they get along during the process, and the less conflict there is, the better. A shorter divorce also has less of an impact than one that is drawn out over a long period of time. A child fares the best when both parents are emotionally and physically available to help with his or her needs.