Divorce and Teenagers

Divorce is a difficult thing for a couple to go through. When there are children involved, it is much more difficult. Young children may have a hard time understanding what's going on. Teenagers are more aware of the logistics of the situation, but that doesn't mean that it's not hard on them, too.

Teenagers from broken homes are more likely to have problems at school. They may also act out at home, or even find themselves in trouble with the police. They are literally caught in the middle of the divorce, and this can put them into a state of emotional turmoil.


The better the divorce is handled, the less of a negative impact it will have on teenagers and any other children involved. As hard as it may be, it is extremely important to keep things civil between you and your spouse. It's also crucial to keep your children in the loop.

How to Break the News of Divorce

Telling your children that you're getting a divorce is not an easy thing to do, but it must be done. With teenagers, it's especially important to let them know soon after you've come to a decision. But if you have younger children as well, they should be informed at the same time to prevent feelings of resentment.

When it's time to break the news, gather everyone in a comfortable setting such as a family room. If possible, both parents should be present. Once you've put things out in the open, each child should have the opportunity to ask questions in the presence of the family and in private.

What About Custody and Visitation?


Be sure to tell your teenager about custody arrangements as soon as they are settled. This is one of the most important aspects of the lives of children with divorced parents, so it's vital to keep them informed. Doing so will help maintain your child's trust.

It's also critical to keep communication open with both parents as much as possible. As long as there is no abuse of any kind, children should be allowed to stay in touch with the non-custodial parent. 

Since teenagers today have different methods of communication than their parents did when growing up, it's important to keep in touch with them on their terms to some extent. In addition to phone calls and visits, emails and text messaging will help kids stay in contact with parents at all times.

Visits with the non-custodial parent should be fun and exciting. Since you won't be spending as much time with your teenager as your former spouse, it's important to make sure you pack as much value into your visits as possible. 

This doesn't mean you should try to outdo the other parent, just that you need to plan activities that you and your child can enjoy together. Some ideas include going to the movies, playing ball at the park or visiting local attractions.

Teens are in one of the most turbulent stages of their lives, and dealing with the divorce of their parents makes these years even more difficult. By keeping the lines of communication open and striving to maintain good relationships with both parents, you can make things significantly less stressful.