Divorce in itself is such a big deal. But when we talk about it, the impact divorce family members and loved ones have is undeniable. Especially if we are talking in the context of children. Being grown-up adults, it's our responsibility to keep our family members out of it. Even if you are unable to figure out how to deal with things, keeping calm and calming others down in such a difficult situation is necessary.
If you think about it, when we are in a long-term relationship and both the families know about it, but unfortunately, you end up separated. We can see that both parties are equally affected by it. You tend to lose connections to even those you are close with just because you broke up with the person who was the string that was connecting you people.
The others may not show it because they know that what they are feeling is nothing in comparison to what you are but with kids it’s different. When a child goes through a divorce it can traumatize them for a long period. It can even build up trust issues or commitment issues within the child.
Impact Divorce Family Members & Partners Have
Marriage is a wonderful tie that can bring happiness and contentment to both partners. If it collapses, though, it may have a significant impact on both physical and mental wellbeing. Your mental health may suffer as a result of marital dissolution. Anxiety, concern, rage, and grief can last for weeks, or even longer in extreme circumstances. However, to get control of the situation, you must healthily deal with your emotions.
Read: Life After Divorce: Pursuit Of Gloom Or Glory?
Reducing the Impact Divorce Family Members Have
Here are few ways how your loved ones can minimize the impact of divorce:
1. Therapy
Seeking professional treatment is one of the most effective methods to cope with the unpleasant emotional and mental impacts of separation. It is without a doubt the most effective method for self-healing and resolving unresolved issues.
2. Proper Sleep
Sleep deprivation might make you even more irritable and unhappy. You may have inconsistent sleep patterns as a result of stress or anxiety, but ensure you receive adequate rest.
3. Keep Yourself Surrounded
It is critical to have the back of your friends and family at this time. They will not only assist you in coping effectively, but they will also affect how you feel. It will offer you peace of mind to know that you are not alone.
Read:
Impact of Divorce on Family Members
A marriage's extended family may be affected by a separation or divorce. In such circumstances, each partner's relatives may feel compelled to take sides. This may be tough, perplexing, and hurt the children.
Children have a keen sense of when something is amiss, and they're especially adept at detecting hostility - especially if it's directed towards one of their caregivers. Following a divorce, children often struggle with balancing their conflicting interests, feeling disloyal if they still adore their father when their mother is unhappy, and vice versa.
When grandparents and other extended relatives are torn on whether or not to take sides, children pick up on it. If the extended family shows prejudice toward one parent, it can exacerbate children's emotions of bewilderment and harm their relationships with both parents.
1. Impact divorce has on a child
The reaction of children can vary as they are separate individuals but is majorly the same. Children's feelings of helplessness, anger, uncertainty, sadness, guilt, and self-blame are common reactions to their parent’s separation. Although some youngsters blame themselves, others may turn the blame outside and point the finger at one parent.
Getting acquainted with the realization that their parents no longer love one other, will not be married to each other, and will not continue together is incredibly surprising and uncomfortable for a child.
When they transition from sharing a roof with both parents to sharing separate ones, life as they know it is utterly disrupted. After years of consistency, reduced interaction with one parent has a negative impact on the parent-child bond.
Furthermore, transitioning to a new house, moving back and forth throughout the week and on weekends, and possibly adjusting to a step-parent makes dealing with the shift in the family relationship even more difficult and unpleasant for children.
While the early change is difficult, to say the least, many youngsters grow resilient and adapt to the new way of life and dynamic over time. However, the emotional wave that the children are riding can become too much for them to handle at times, causing them to act out.
Few signs in children to keep an eye for
- Dismissal from pleasurable activities, friends, and a lack of willingness to communicate.
- Starting to act out (misbehavior, refusal to listen, aggression) and drug use is common outcomes of behavioral tendencies.
- Self-harm includes, but is not limited to, biting oneself, pounding one's skull against the wall, and even exercising to the point of intense pain and exhaustion, to name a few instances.
- A drop in academic achievement, together with a clear loss of enthusiasm and motivation, is another key signal of a child's mental health.
- When a child's problem with sleeping lasts longer than the normal re-adjustment period, it's usually a sign of the child's concern over the divorce.
2. Tax impact divorce has
Below mentioned are some of the impacts divorce has on your tax:
3. The period of your separation
Before your papers are signed, determine how you choose to pay your tax.
4. Joint returns potential liability
If you're filing jointly, double-check all of your tax records before sending them to the IRS.
5. Exemptions from dependency
Consider who will claim your kids as dependent exclusions in your Order of Child Support if you have children.
6. Divorce asset exchanges
Before you finalize your separation, decide if you want an accountant or a tax counsel to analyze your property division.
7. Retirement assets divided
Prepare needed QDROs or other property division devices to prevent the tax effects of early retirement fund withdrawals.
8. Dissolution assets for sale
Always keep in mind the possibility of capital gains taxes.
9. Support for children
Contributions for child support are tax-free.
10. Maintenance of the spouse
Consider the tax implications of alimony/maintenance awards. So basically the impact divorce family members and you will have is unavoidable and the only thing you can do to make things better is to find a way to accept things before you try to make others accept them. The impact of divorce on family members is huge and needs to be taken care of.
Nevertheless, the impact divorce has on adolescents and children is something to look at, as you wouldn’t want their deviance to become a part of their behavior. You cannot make things better for someone else if they are not better for you, so it’s good to consider the coping techniques mentioned above to make a shift into a better version of yourself.
Also Read: Deal With The Different Divorce Emotion Stages