Divorce

What do I do: If my parents are divorced?

1. Talk to someone about your situation. Talking about it will probably ease your tension and anxiety about the thoughts that you are having. It will also give them an opportunity to show you that they care. Some good places to look for this person is your place school or church.
2. Understand that your parent’s divorce was not your fault and that the divorce was unfair to you.
3. Remember that just because your parents divorced does not mean that they have stopped loving you. Their problems were about each other, not about you.
4. If your parents have remarried and you have new step-brothers or step-sisters, remember that they may feel just like you do. Don’t see them as enemies but try to build healthy relationships with them.
5. Acknowledge that the divorce has affected you and consider keeping a journal about this. Write about your feelings, thoughts, and actions associated with the divorce.
6. Discuss your feelings with your parents. Tell them how their divorce is affecting you. Don’t expect them to magically know how you feel. Talk to them about it. Most likely they are worried about you and how you are handling the divorce.
7. Be aware that you may feel like doing destructive things to deal with your hurt. Some of these may include drugs, alcohol, sex, overeating, or too much TV. Avoid these thing and instead get plenty of exercise and take care of your body and your mind.
8. Call the HopeLine (1-800-394-HOPE) to talk or visit www.dmlive.com to chat with a live person.