Nursery World - Separate way

Playworkers are likely to become involved in children's reactions when their parents are divorcing, says Andrea Clifford-Poston Every day in this country, approximately 650 children will hear that their parents are separating or divorcing (Daily Mail, June 2004). Single-parent and reconstituted families are so much a part of society that it is easy to forget the impact that divorce can have on children. While there is now little social stigma attached to divorce in the outside world, in their own internal world a child may feel ashamed, guilty, distressed and anxious.

Every day in this country, approximately 650 children will hear that their parents are separating or divorcing (Daily Mail, June 2004). Single-parent and reconstituted families are so much a part of society that it is easy to forget the impact that divorce can have on children. While there is now little social stigma attached to divorce in the outside world, in their own internal world a child may feel ashamed, guilty, distressed and anxious.

There are, of course, as many ways of children reacting to their parents'

divorce as there are children. Adults should not jump to conclusions about how a child may react, but they also need to hold in mind that divorce can have a powerful effect on any child.

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