Child Behavior Divorce

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Due to divorce, children experience a real sense of loss. They feel profound grief regarding the loss of the presence of a parent and loss of their expectation of the sort of family they had dreamt of. Although some children have been explained the finality of their divorce, they do not loose hope that their parent would reunite in the future. However, along with the passage of time, a majority of children accept the altered circumstances.

15 to 18 years Child Behavior Divorce

• The following points are observed about older teens
  • They run away from home
  • Their school performance is poor
  • They demonstrate signs of depression
  • They run into trouble with the law
• The child feels that if he/she overlooks parental dating, this might be disloyalty to the other parent
• The child becomes intolerant of the problems of the parent
• The child concentrates on establishing his/her independent lifestyle

12 to 15 years Child Behavior Divorce

• The demeanor of the child has the following characteristics
  • Chronic oppositional behavior
  • Promiscuous sexual activity
  • Use of alcohol or other drugs
  • Discouraging performance in school
  • Moodiness
  • Depression
• The child does not accept that he/she should reside with each parent for half of his/her time
• The child might demand to switch residences continuously or to reside in one house for a long time
• The child may begin blaming one or both parents for the divorce

9 to 12 years

• Learning problems
• Physical symptoms like stomachaches or headaches
• Anger
• Depression
• Loneliness
• Difficulties with peer groups
• The child starts to take sides with one parent
• The child declines to spend equal time with each parent
• Role reversal i.e. a child experiences compulsion to care or support for an emotionally distraught parent at the expense of his/her own emotions
• The child gives priority to friendships, community interests and school
• The child becomes involved in activities wherein the parents are not involved

6 to 8 years

• Physical problems like headaches and stomachaches
• The child has problems regarding developing friendships
• Aggression, anger and sadness
• The child tries to probe who is at fault or who should be blamed for the divorce
• The child gives priority to fairness. He/She desires to spend equal amount of time with each parent
• The child feels the need to be reassured that his/her parents loves him/her

2 to 4 years

• Display of tantrums
• Regression to baby behavior like bedwetting, thumb-sucking and sleep walking during the night
• Getting engaged in power struggles
• Frequent crying
• The child expresses anger or fussiness regarding either or both parents
• The child worries continuously about separation

Birth to 2 years

• Separation anxiety results in clinging demeanor, distress and withdrawal
• Distress manifests itself in the form of alteration in sleeping and eating habits, crying and fussiness

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