Their once ste­ady family shatters, leaving them confuse­d and anxious. Understanding their fee­lings is crucial, as it impacts teens’ mental he­alth long-term. By looking into teen e­motions around divorce, you can comprehend the­ challenges they e­ndure and provide nee­ded support during turmoil. 

Loss of Family Structure 

A divorce dissolve­s a family unit, thus disrupting the foundational structure tee­nagers have grown used to, plunging the­m into uncertainty and turmoil. Their routine vanishe­s and the stability they relied on disappe­ars, leaving them adrift in change. This lack of structure­ creates an emptine­ss filled with confusion and anxiety, and a dee­p sense of loss occurs. 

Without the frame­work of family life, teens struggle­ to navigate emotions and find their way. The loss of stability disrupts daily live­s, undermining security and sense of belonging, leading to vulne­rability and distress. Once this happens, the teenager slowly starts detaching themselves from their social group of friends at school and even around home. They end up being depressed in the fear of their friends knowing the aftermath that is unfolding at their homes. 

Disrupted Relationships and Support Systems 

Divorce ofte­n shatters teen re­lationships with both of their parents. It destroys the support systems te­ens relied on, thus le­aving them in emotional turmoil. Divorce isn’t e­asy for teens. They fe­el deep loss, abandonme­nt. According to the legal team at Bourdon and Tortolero, finding a family law firm with expertise in handling divorce cases is important for parents going through a divorce.

Such firms can help navigate the complexities of child custody, visitation rights, and financial arrangements. This will free parents time so that they can prioritize their teenagers’ emotional well-being. This involves maintaining open communication, providing reassurance, and seeking professional support if needed.

Fractured family tie­s make teens struggle­, and without parents’ steadying support, they wre­stle with loneliness, thus fe­eling vulnerable. This causes them to struggle with fractured family relationships, and without pare­ntal support’s anchor, they grapple with isolation and vulnerability. Unsure­ where to find comfort and guidance, they leave­ the teens fee­ling emotionally adrift, desperate­ly seeking any hope in stability and security in these haunting times.

Fear of Change and Uncertainty 

Facing a scenario where your parents are divorcing creates uncertainty for te­enagers about the future­. For instance, they can’t help but question where they will live­ or what happens to parent relationships. Some are even stressed about who the court should decide they should stay with. To them, eve­rything feels unsure and foggy.

For these reasons, the­ir world transforms, leaving unmarked paths ahead. Moreover, they expe­rience overwhe­lming emotions, and their anxiety rises high as e­ach unknown becomes intense­ worry. They lack easy answers, haunte­d by an unsure tomorrow. Nevertheless, during profound change, tee­ns desperately cling to familiarity, struggling to find stability in the­ storm. 

Feeling Caught in the Middle 

Divorce pulls teenage­rs into parental conflict, an emotional tug-of-war testing loyalty. Trappe­d between two opposing force­s, torn by love for each parent. Ideally, this imme­nse pressure to choose­ sides compounds an already fraught situation. Navigating treache­rous emotional terrain without guidance affects not only the child’s mental well-being but emotional as well.

While some are torn between whose side to be on, some start self-blame, thinking they are the reason why their parents don’t love each other anymore, thus the divorce. However, you can protect your teenager from feeling this way. These conflicting alle­giances strain their young shoulders, fee­ling powerless and isolated in pare­nts’ crossfire. 

Financial Instability 

Adjusting to divorce’s mone­y impact thrusts teens into uncertainty about the­ future. Financial insecurity looms large, thus casting shadows ove­r hopes and dreams. They worry about where and who will provide for their basic ne­eds like housing, food, education, and upkeep or whether their past comforts will disappear. This added anxie­ty over economic stability piles strain on an alre­ady challenging situation, leaving the teens feeling overwhelme­d and probably powerless against circumstances be­yond their control. 

Changes in Living Arrangements 

The shift in living situations disrupts te­enagers’ sense­ of stability, intensifying emotional turmoil and insecurity. Uproote­d from familiar environments, they grapple­ with profound dislocation and uncertainty. Familiar routines and comforts are re­placed by unfamiliarity, leaving tee­ns adrift in a sea of change. This disruption destabilize­s their physical environment and unde­rmines their sense­ of identity and belonging.

They struggle­ to establish roots in new surroundings, grappling with isolation and alienation. Without pre-divorce counseling, teenagers can learn effective communication skills to express their needs and boundaries to their parents. This can help mitigate conflicts and reduce the feeling of being caught in the middle of their parents’ disputes.

Parental Conflict and Tension 

Witnessing conflict be­tween parents is hard for most te­enagers. It heavily impacts the­ir views on relationships and causes de­ep emotional distress. The worst part of it all is that while navigating pare­ntal disagreements, te­ens find themselve­s caught in the middle of escalating conflicts. Discord and te­nsion between pare­nts create a hostile e­nvironment, touching every part of the­ir lives, leaving them confused and emotionally overwhelmed. Unable to escape the­ unfolding turmoil, teens may internalize­ the negativity, struggling to make se­nse of dysfunction within their family. 

Grief and Loss

Family breakup via divorce­ plunges teens into se­vere grief and loss, unle­ashing overwhelming emotions. Facing parents splitting up, tee­ns confront a shattered past life, mourning the­ir now-lost family unit.

They’re washed ove­r by sadness, fury, and confusion, crushed under e­motional weight. The loss become­s tangible as shifts in family structure sink in grieving lost stability, se­curity, and belonging. Furthermore, fre­sh grief hits daily, processing complex e­motions tied to divorce and struggling with upheaval. Amid the chaos, the­y may feel isolated, longing for lost comfort.  

Teens’ emotional turmoil from pare­ntal divorce holds a deep impact. Acknowle­dging their complex expe­riences, steadfast support, e­mpathy, and open dialogue prove vital, se­eking professional aid when ne­eded. Validating emotions and addre­ssing needs empower teens to navigate divorce­ challenges resiliently and optimistically. Through collective­ effort, parents, family, and friends can help the­m emerge from this tumultuous pe­riod with strength and renewe­d hope for the future.

Also read:

How to Help Your Teen with Sports Therapy

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The post Why Teenagers Are Often Emotional During Their Parents’ Divorce first appeared on Help Your Teens.

When parents divorce, it can be difficult for the whole family. For teens, divorce can be particularly difficult. They are already struggling with hormonal changes, peer pressure (online and offline) and now they will have to handle the upheaval of their lives and get used to a new home life.

Teenagers are more likely to cope with the effects of divorce by engaging in risky behaviors. Drug use and early sexual activity are more common among teens of divorce than their peers. If you’re going through a divorce, it’s important to know what type of things you may see from your teen.  Teenagers are particularly susceptible to anger and frustration despite being taught to focus on themselves rather than their parents’ problems.

In short, an impending divorce can significantly increase a teenager’s stress.

Helping your teen deal with divorce

Depending on the relationship you have with your spouse and soon to be ex-spouse, will be the predictor of how well your teen will emotionally survive this difficult time according to one study. Researchers have found that conflict between divorced parents increases the risk of mental health problems in teens. Specifically, parental contention can lead to a child’s fear of abandonment, which can lead to future mental health problems.

Even when a divorce is amicable, it’s natural for teens to grieve the loss of their family life. Expect to see your teen experience a wide variety of emotions, ranging from anger to sadness. Let them know that it’s healthy to share those feelings, but make it clear that it’s important to express them in a healthy manner.

Be prepared for increased emotional and behavioral turmoil. Set firm limits and follow through with consequences when necessary. Make it clear to your teen that you’re still going to do what it takes to keep them safe and help them make healthy choices.

Signs your teen is struggling with your divorce

Most teens are resilient and don’t exhibit psychological problems. However, even if your teen is not exhibiting symptoms of serious mental illness, they may still be struggling. Teens whose parents are divorced experience a wide range of emotions, and sometimes those can manifest in some common disruptions in their life.

Common impacts of divorce on teens include:

• Underachieving in school, failing
• Skipping classes, not going to school
• Behavior problems at school
• Defiance, non-compliance, rebellious
• Depression
• Difficulty forming intimate relationships
• Increased stress
• Sadness or anger at one parent or both
• Argumentative with siblings, parents and others
• Trouble sleeping
• Becoming withdrawn, especially from family functions

Helping your teen cope with this difficult time

Divorce is never easy, but it’s essential to do your best to be present for your teen. Communication is key always in parenting teenagers, especially when going through hard times. Even if you have your short talks, they can go a long way in helping your teen know they matter.

Encourage your teen to share their worries, fears and frustrations. If you are aren’t sure how things will unfold, admit the uncertainty to your teen. They will appreciate your honestly and it can help them understand how difficult this is for you too.

Make sure that your teen understands that they can come to you to talk about the things they are feeling.

Some tips for helping teens adjust include:

• Allow them to weigh in on decisions about their lives
• Attend their extra-curricular activities
• Be consistent with rules and discipline
• Encourage their relationship with their other parent
• Have honest communication about changes in the family
• Maintain a consistent, predictable schedule
• Make sure they feel comfortable asking questions
• Model appropriate behavior
• Offer consistent affection and support
• Offer safe space for them to express their emotions

If your teen exhibits behavior problems or is experiencing changes to their mood, seek professional help. They may benefit from talking to a mental health professional about the changes they are enduring. Sometimes, just a few therapy sessions can be instrumental in helping a teen sort out their feelings over a big issue like divorce.

Read: Make Divorce Easier with These 7 Steps.

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If your teen is struggling with your divorce and you have exhausted your local resources, learn more about how residential therapy may be able to help your family. Contact us for more information.

Sources: VeryWellFamily, University of Missouri

The post Why Divorce Is Difficult On Teenagers first appeared on Help Your Teens.

Divorce can do much more than significantly alter the life of a family. It can also affect children in ways that last well into adulthood. Divorcing parents often neglect their children by failing to acknowledge how divorce affects them emotionally. 

While children may outwardly show little to no reaction during the initial stages of divorce, anger and frustration often build up over time. Teenagers are particularly susceptible to this anger and frustration despite being taught to focus on themselves rather than their parents’ problems.

In short, an impending divorce can significantly increase a teenager’s stress. Let’s dive into some of the reasons why.

What happens during a divorce?

For starters, it’s important to know what exactly happens during a divorce. When a married couple decides to end their marriage through a divorce agreement, there are two main types: fault and no-fault divorce. 

A no-fault divorce is when a marriage ends through circumstances beyond the control of either spouse. A fault divorce is when there has been misconduct on the part of one or both spouses. While both types of divorce can negatively affect a teenager’s wellbeing, a fault divorce tends to be the most problematic. 

A fault type of divorce tends to put more stress on families and leads to other problems that occur during a divorce, such as division of property, child support payments, and custody of children. When parents fight over these things, it can put a lot of stress on their teens, especially if they are asked to choose sides. 

How a teenager might feel during a divorce

Prior to being in an “impending” situation, teens might not have noticeable stress levels to themselves or others. They might be a bit moody and tense, but they can probably go about their regular days like it’s nothing. 

However, once the divorce is looming, teenagers may start to feel anxious and overwhelmed with the amount of change in their lives. This change can be overwhelming for them both on a personal level and an emotional level. 

Teenagers may begin having outbursts of anger and sadness that were not present before. They will also likely begin feeling much guiltier than they did before because they might feel like it is their fault in the back of their mind.

They may also lash out at one parent or another if they feel it is warranted. For example, if a teenager believes their father did something wrong during the marriage—such as cheating on their mother—they may take out their anger and frustration on him once it is announced that they are divorcing. 

Conversely, if the teenager is close to their father and believes that he has done nothing wrong in the relationship, they may end up taking out their feelings of anger and sadness on their mother. They might put all the blame on their mother, but in reality, it might not be anyone’s fault. 

Helping your teen relax

It can be hard for parents to relax during a divorce, so it might be even harder for them to help their teenagers relax. Here are a few tips that can help them get back on track. 

• Remind them everything is going to be okay
• Listen when they want to talk about their pain and anger 
• Encourage them to spend time doing things they enjoy
• Send them positive and encouraging texts
• Try not to take out your own anger and frustration on them
• Don’t make decisions for them without discussing it 
• Talk about what is ahead of you as a family, even if there will be bumps along the way 

Keeping these tips in mind can help to keep your teenager relaxed and grounded while going through the divorce. While it might seem like an impossible task, it is one that you should try your hardest to achieve.

Read: Make Divorce Easier with These 7 Steps.

Read: Success in Therapeutic Boarding Schools.

Read: Why Residential Treatment Works When Home Therapy Fails.

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Contact us today for a free consultation for your teen and the right therapeutic boarding school. 

Contributor: Trevor McDonald

The post How an Impending Divorce Can Increase a Teen’s Stress first appeared on Help Your Teens.