As much as we all might for life to go according to plan at all times, that doesn’t always happen. In fact, we can often find ourselves in less-than-perfect situations – situations that our children don’t always ask for! From separation and divorce to health issues and financial troubles, there can be a range of situations that lead to difficult times for your family and go on to affect your children. In this blog post, we’re going to take a look at some ways you can help to keep them happy during these times.
1. Keep The Environment Calm
First of all, you’re going to want to keep the home environment as calm as possible as you can for your children. When you’re going for legal custody or you dealing with a separation, tensions can be high and your children can feel the effects too. However, you can look to set the tone by keeping things as calm as possible in the background. Here, it’s important to keep their everyday life as normal as possible in order for them to stay as happy and unaffected as they can be.
2. Listen to Them
From here, you’ll want to listen to them. They may have thoughts and feelings about what’s going on and it’s likely that they’ll need your emotional support during this time too. So be sure to check in with them when you can. It’s important for you to be there for them.
3. Explain the Situation to Them
Regardless of what’s going on, you may find that it really helps everyone if you can explain the situation to them. Whether it is a divorce or health issues, finding a way to let them know what’s happening and what changes there may be can help to prepare them. You can also look into expert help for this too.
4. Focus on Their Favorite Things
If you know that you really want to be able to keep them happy, make sure that you’re focusing on their favorite things. Taking an interest in your children and what they like to do is such a huge part of good parenting – so lean into it here. When times are hard, focusing on things they love to do, indulging in their hobbies, and even making more time for things like vacations or rest (where possible) can help.
5. Have Their Input and Be Invested in Them
Finally, it’s important for you to take their thoughts and feelings into consideration throughout the process too. Now, of course, this won’t apply to very young children. But it is important for you to listen to the ones who are sharing how they are feeling and take that on board. You will want to ensure that they feel heard and as if they have a say in their own lives. Of course, you will often know what’s best and have the final say, but this can ensure that they stay happy and heard during some of your hardest moments.
