Divorce is a hard situation that can be rather traumatic for the children involved. Even if your divorce was amicable, the reality is that your children will now have to share their time between two households. Being juggling between house to house to see each parent is more traumatic for some children than others.
Today we’re featuring some tips to help siblings bond through a divorce. Using this similar experience from childhood, siblings will often find a way to strengthen their bond as their family unit gets redefined after divorce.
Talk to Each Other
Encourage your children to spend time together privately during a divorce. This will help them talk to each other in a way that feels more comfortable than discussing current events with their parents. Many siblings have mixed feelings about parents’ divorce, so encouraging them to talk to each other will lend an unconditional love and comfort for each as they venture into his new way of life.
Help Around the House
Now that the house has become a one-parent household, the children will need to work to help offset the duties of the home. Everything from chores to bedtime routines and meal preparation may be passed down to the older siblings. This will help establish a bond between siblings as the older children start to help the younger children learn how to do chores, feed themselves, and so forth.
Provide Stability
While the siblings have to share parents and go to a different location to see a parent, uprooting their entire life, siblings provide stability. The children will rest easier knowing that no matter what happens with their parents, such as this current example of getting divorced, that they’ll always be there for each other. This will help provide stability amidst uncertain times.
Provide Entertainment
Another way that siblings can bond through a divorce is to entertain each other. Have the siblings host a movie night or game night where they enjoy laughter and fun. Divorce is hard on everyone in the family, but siblings can start to bond during these times by having fun activities that they’re allowed to enjoy together. Laughter and fun will help siblings feel less anxious during these changes they’re experiencing.
Whether your children have always had a strong bond or are just starting to solidify this bond through a divorce, most parents rest easier knowing that their children have each other during times when the parents’ marriage breaks down.