A Child’s View of Divorce – Episode 27

In Episode 27 of Cases & Cocktails, Bryan and Janice Eggleston sit down with Jessica Waite, a graduate counseling student who shares her deeply personal experience growing up as a child of divorce. The episode offers a unique and emotional look into the long-term impact of divorce through the eyes of someone who lived it—and who is now preparing to help others navigate similar experiences through therapy.

To complement the conversation, the cocktail of the day is a Pineapple Coconut Margarita—made with tequila, lime juice, pineapple juice, and cream of coconut—first enjoyed by Janice on Mother’s Day and now served up for a powerful discussion on emotional growth and healing.

From Barn Living to Emotional Insight: Jessica’s Story

Jessica’s upbringing was anything but conventional. Raised in a historic barn in Dripping Springs that her parents relocated and rebuilt beam-by-beam, her childhood was unique—and at times, isolating. With no finished walls or even a bathroom until middle school, she remembers feeling hesitant to invite friends over, sensing early on that her family life was different from others.

Her parents’ relationship was passionate but tumultuous. The divorce process began when she was 13, after years of escalating arguments. She recalls the exact moment her father moved out—opening a curtain (not a door) to say goodbye, signaling the start of a new and uncertain chapter.

Therapy, Narrative, and Finding Her Voice

Jessica, now in graduate school at Texas State University, is studying counseling with a focus on narrative therapy—a method that emphasizes separating the individual from their problems and understanding how personal stories and family dynamics shape our sense of identity.

She explains how this approach helped her understand her own past and why it’s so vital for children of divorce to have a safe, neutral space to process their feelings. Even as a teen, she found solace in therapy, noting that while she didn’t share everything with her counselor, the sessions gave her the freedom to speak openly without hurting either parent’s feelings.

Jessica emphasizes that therapy is not about reliving trauma, but about creating space to explore thoughts and patterns. “Even good parents can unintentionally burden their children during divorce,” she says, especially when kids feel pressured to manage adult emotions or become a confidant during difficult transitions.

Advice for Divorcing Parents: Meet Your Kids Where They Are

As someone who’s lived through a divorce and now studies how to help others heal from it, Jessica offers heartfelt advice to parents: “Your kids are more aware than you think. Even if they don’t bring it up, they’re feeling it. Let them know the door is open when they’re ready to talk.”

Her story is a reminder that children often carry more emotional weight than parents realize—and that open communication, professional support, and empathy are key to helping them cope during and after a divorce.

Final Thoughts

Episode 27 provides a rare, honest perspective from the child’s side of a custody case—and highlights the importance of emotional support throughout the process. Jessica Waite’s insights not only validate the experiences of other children of divorce but also offer valuable lessons for parents, counselors, and legal professionals alike.

📅 Tune in next week for another episode of Cases & Cocktails! Don’t forget to like, share, and subscribe for more powerful stories and expert perspectives on family law in Texas—one case (and cocktail) at a time.