If you are the parent of a minor child in Wisconsin and you and your spouse have decided you will be getting divorced, one of the many things weighing heavily on your mind now may be how and when you should tell your children. A divorce affects not just the spouses but the children and other family members as well. Your kids’ everyday lives will change and they will need you to guide them through the process.
As recommended by Parents Magazine, one of the things you should do is take some time to rehearse what you will say at the start of your conversation. Keeping all information factual and age appropriate will also be important. If you and your spouse are able to have a family meeting with your parents, this can be a good way to tell your children about the changes together and help position the two of you as still a united front in parenting your joint children.
If you have multiple children across a wide range of ages, you might consider telling all of them at once but then later on having individual conversations with each child to more effectively address their questions or concerns in an age-appropriate manner.
This information is not intended to provide legal advice but is instead meant to give divorcing parents in Wisconsin some tips on how they can talk with their children to tell them about a divorce and help them from the very beginning to process the changes that will follow.