S2 #03 Practical tips for helping a child through divorce with The Parenting Coach, Sue Atkins Artwork

Helping Children Smile Again with Amanda Seyderhelm

Whether it's the grief of bereavement, the strain of divorce or the uncertainty of a new home or school, loss and change affect children in countless ways. Teachers and parents frequently find themselves ill-equipped to help children struggling with the difficult feelings that these situations, and others like them, bring. Helping Children Smile Again offers guided support for teachers, health professionals and parents through interviews with experts in the fields of education, healthcare and parenting.

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Helping Children Smile Again with Amanda Seyderhelm

S2 #03 Practical tips for helping a child through divorce with The Parenting Coach, Sue Atkins

January 09, 2022 • AMANDA SEYDERHELM • Season 2 • Episode 3

What happens when the dream of marriage dies, and the reality of divorce sinks in? Where does all the love and pain go, and how do families begin to process the grief of this loss and change? How do they navigate not only new custody arrangements for their children, but also their divorced relationship?

We all remember the divorce movie, Kramer vs. Kramer, which highlighted what happens when a couple allows anger and hurt to drive their conversations. The only good thing that came out of this was the realisation that a child's needs matter, their feelings do count, and must be taken into consideration. But how do we avoid having a Kramer vs. Kramer moment to 'get this'?

Sue Atkins, The Parenting Coach, ITV expert, and author of the new and award-winning book, The Divorce Journal for Kids, talks with me about her toolkit that she uses with her clients. Here are just 6 of her top tips:

1/ Plan how to tell your child. Don't drop a bombshell because they will remember that.
2/ Keep a routine as much as you can. Consistency is the key to calm.
3/ Hold the child in mind - put a photograph of the child on the table, in front of you when talking to your ex.
4/ Remember this is not an event, it's a process.
5/Express feelings safely - draw and doodle your feelings in a journal.
6/ Self-care isn't selfish it's going to maintain your sanity!

About Sue
Sue Atkins is an internationally recognised Parenting Expert, Broadcaster, Speaker and Author.

Sue offers practical guidance for bringing up happy, confident, resilient children and helps parents create happy childhoods, free from finger pointing or judgement.

Sue also specialises in supporting families through divorce & created the Award Winning ‘Divorce Journal for Kids’ is designed to help children express, explore and understand some of the strong emotions that they may be feeling and to help them process the divorce for themselves. She has also created a series of Divorce Conversational Cards for parents to help start the difficult conversations about the changes that families face when they are going through divorce.

Connect with Sue
www.thesueatkins.com

Twitter: @sueatkins
Instagram: @sueatkins18
Facebook: Sue Atkins The Parenting Expert
LinkedIn: Sue Atkins
Sue on Pinterest: Sue Atkins Parenting Expert
Sue on YouTube: Sue Atkins Parenting Expert

Connect with Amanda Seyderhelm

Visit my website to download my free eBook 10 Simple Play Therapy Techniques You Can Use To Help Your Child With Grief, Loss and Change

If you are supporting a bereaved child, or know someone who is, you can purchase my books - Isaac and the Red Jumper (for 4-10 yr olds) and Helping Children Cope with Loss and Change

@TheKidDecoder on Twitter
@amandaseyderhelm on Instagram and Linked In