How do you tell your child about a divorce?

Divorcing Florida parents have a lot on your plate. You need to deal with everything a childless couple deals with. This includes spousal support, asset division and complex matters of taxing and estate.

But you also need to deal with matters of your child, too. This includes custody, visitation schedules and child support payments. On top of everything else, you also need to decide how you want to break the news to your child. For some, this is the hardest part of divorce.

Present a unified front

Psychology Today discusses ways to tell your kids that you are getting a divorce. There are many ways to tackle this hard conversation. But there are some tips that may help yours go more smoothly.

First, do not talk to your child separately. Talk to them together. This presents a unified front for your child, which makes the information less scary. It also allows you to keep each other in check. You do not have to worry what your co-parent says.

Plan out as much as you can

Plan what you say in advance. The last thing you want to do is start an important conversation and have no idea what you want to say. While deciding what to say, work out a non-blaming narrative. Do not force any party to take the direct blame for this divorce. The younger your child is, the less they need to know, too. Keep personal, messy details out.

Finally, keep your kid in the loop. Let them know what will stay the same and what will change. Have a basic, general reason prepared if they ask why you are divorcing. Let them know which parent is moving out. The open honesty provides more security and can help make your kid feel less overwhelmed.