Family Law Attorneys in Michigan
Generally speaking children, ages 8 and younger, act
differently than adolescents, age 9-13, in regards to a parent’s divorce. Goldman & Associates have very
experienced divorce attorneys located in
Michigan. No matter what age the
child is a parental divorce is a major life event for that child. There are
numerous things the child has to get used to. For example, going back and forth
between two different households, the daily absence of the other parent and
ultimately witnessing the loss of love between the two parents. Children who
experience the divorce process tend to be more dependent.
Children
regressive and adolescents aggressive
Adolescents tend to be more independent than children.
Children show a more regressive response while adolescents show an aggressive
response. There may be some interesting reasons for these variations. Children
depend on their parents and the divorce interrupts this dependency. At Goldman
& Associates there are very experienced Michigan Family Lawyers that can help you with these issues.
The family is the child’s major social life. Whereas the adolescent is more
independent and more separated from the parents. Their major focus now extends
outside of the family.
Be
cautious while attending family gatherings
When a young child is involved they often live in a
fantasy world hoping somehow, some way mom and dad will get back together. They
hold on to hope and wishful thinking. On the other hand, an adolescent accepts
the finality of the divorce much quicker. Sometimes it is best not to put in a
joint appearance at the next family gathering as this only feeds the child’s
fantasy of a parental reunion.
Young
children feel disconnection
Children want to feel more connected to the family where
a huge disconnection has occurred. They may revert to earlier forms of
dependency such as bed-wetting, tantrums, whining and outburst’s. As they
revert back to an earlier dependency level they will illicit more attention
from the absent parent. The young child has a tendency to want to get the
parents back. Let our Michigan divorce
lawyers help you through this very turbulent time.
Routines,
rituals and reassurance
However, the adolescent may try to get back at the
parent! The child may feel grief while
the adolescent may have a grievance. He may think “If they don’t mind hurting
me than I don’t mind hurting them.” For parents with young children their
priority should be to establish a sense of family, order and predictability.
Always remember the three R’s: routines, rituals and reassurance.
Patience
can work
For parents with adolescents, try to harness their
dedication to self interest with more responsibility. There will be more
separation and independence from the family. At Goldman and Associates, a Michigan Family lawyer, we believe
with a little bit of patience new family arrangements can and do work!
If you require additional information, please visit Divorce Lawyer in Michigan.
