When you’re considering a divorce, you may not be worrying about your adult children. After all, they’re old enough to be out of your home, and your divorce, in your mind, won’t have a significant impact on them. It won’t impact their home lives and is unlikely to cause them any strife from day to day.
Interestingly, though, adult children can still struggle with the idea of their parents divorcing. The reality that their parents are divorcing could make them question their relationships and even their ideas about what makes a good marriage. So, how can you break the news in a way that is going to be the gentlest?
Speak clearly to your adult children when you and your spouse decide to divorce
The great thing about having adult children is that they’re old enough to process divorce well and to understand why two adults may want to divorce one another. Still, as parents, you and your spouse should sit down with your children and talk about why you’ve decided to make this decision. It’s common for parents to turn to their adult children for support during their divorce, but remember that your child is processing this, too. Your child is still your child, even if they’ve grown, and it is your responsibility to help them understand, not the other way around.
Don’t overly rely on your children for emotional support, because they are going through these changes, too. Be honest with them, but remember that there are still boundaries and that your children, while older, may still need guidance.