Even though your divorce will be a challenge for you, it is also a difficult time for your children. However, you can help your children get through the divorce in a positive way by choosing different ways to handle each situation that arises.

Avoid Legal Terms

Children can have a very hard time understanding what a divorce really is, especially when you have younger children. It is a good idea to explain what the general idea of divorce is, but it is best to avoid some legal terms when explaining your situation to them. Most of the legal aspects of a divorce are confusing for an adult, which means it is that much more confusing to a child.

To help minimize their confusion and stress, you want to explain how the process works in simple terms. When answering questions, it is important to be truthful, but you do not need to use complicated terms such as fault grounds, irreconcilable differences and marital property. Instead, you can choose words like broken promises and personal belongings to help them understand different aspects of the divorce.

With that said, if you have older children, they may be able to comprehend many of these terms with a little explanation. However, you need to use discretion when discussing the reasons for the divorce if you feel that it will cause them additional emotional stress.

Minimize Arguments

Divorces are emotional and this aspect can cause you to say or do things that are not normally in your nature. With this in mind, you have to try to minimize arguments around your children. Arguments can cause children unneeded stress, so you need to find other ways of working out your differences.

One way to work out your differences is to have your lawyer find a reliable mediator. With a mediator, you can talk through your problems with your ex to help keep the situation under control, even when emotions run high. This process also helps you vent your frustrations out during the mediation sessions, which may in turn minimize the number of arguments that happen in front of your children.

An additional benefit of having a mediator is that you have someone else there as a witness to whatever is said. If you both come to an agreement, the mediator can then work with your lawyer to help make sure each party's wishes are upheld as much as possible when it is time to go to court.

Getting through your divorce will be hard for you, but even harder for your children. By avoiding some confusing terms and minimizing the fighting, you may be able to reduce the amount of emotional stress your children have to go through during the divorce process.

For more information, talk to a divorce attorney like Larson, Latham, Huettl Attorneys.