- Divorce when you have a toddler
- More love in their lives
- A new perspective
- A greater ability to adapt
A background in psychology (and possibly a moderate amount of anxiety about how my decisions have impacted my child) led me to do a lot of research on the effects of divorce on young children. And guess what? There's a lot of good news when it comes to what the research says about children and divorce.
In a nutshell, your kids are going to be just fine as long as you (and hopefully also your ex) can commit to the following:
- Remind (and show) them often that they are loved, and that will never change.
- Reiterate that they did nothing to cause the divorce.
- Let them know when they will see the other parent again and how they can contact them – FaceTime, telephone, email, in-person, or whatever the case may be.
(And if your ex can be a bit of a jerk, don't worry: There's also good news for people who have less than cooperative exes! Research shows that children only need one loving, stable parent in order to grow up emotionally healthy.)
My story
My ex and I divorced when my daughter was 18 months old. Like most divorces, it was an extremely difficult time in our lives, and it was especially difficult to communicate the change in our family to a toddler.
Many people think that because young kids can't communicate themselves, they also don't understand. But the truth is, they understand way more than we give them credit for – and if we don't explain what's going on because the conversation seems too hard (or we flat-out hide things from them), we can actually do damage.
Developmentally, kids believe the world revolves around them and that anything that goes wrong (or right) is because of something they did. That's why kids often blame themselves for divorce.
Explaining what divorce is and how affects the kids is crucial. And at such a young age, visuals are key. So, I created a visual Daily Chart to reiterate to my daughter that every day would begin and end the same way and a visual Co-Parenting Bundle to help her understand when she would see each parent. And guess what? The calendars worked. So well, in fact, that I founded my company, Mighty + Bright, to make these magnetic calendars available to all parents who are navigating divorce and co-parenting. I hope you'll check them out.
Divorce is a process, and you can't expect yourself or your kids to simply get over it and move on. The truth is, being from a split family will always be a challenge in some ways. My daughter, like many kids of divorce, still wishes my ex and I would remarry so our entire blended family – including new step-parents and step- and half-siblings – could all live together. Always missing someone is hard, and meeting your kids with compassion is and always will be really important. But there are a lot of positives of divorce and co-parenting, too.
More love in their lives
I'm proof positive of this. My daughter has so much more love in her life than she did before. She has a mom and dad, a stepmom and a stepdad, and all the grandparents and siblings and aunts and uncles that come with them. More love, more celebrations, more vacations, more experience. In this case, more is definitely more, and that's a good thing.
Taking on new roles, new perspectives
Now that my daughter's family has more or less doubled, she has an older sister – an experience she would never have been able to have otherwise – and also a baby brother. As you and your ex move on and grow new families, your existing child(ren) will have opportunities to play new and different roles. This can help them develop greater empathy and see their world and their responsibilities from a perspective they otherwise never would have had.
A greater ability to adapt
As your child settles into the new normal of having two homes and two families, they'll learn new techniques for adapting and fitting into family paradigms. Exposure to different people, personalities, and familial styles will help your child develop a greater understanding of how they fit into the world. And as they learn to navigate new waters (with your stable support and encouragement), they'll be able to apply this resilience, flexibility, and ability to adapt to other areas of life.
Divorce is hard. Co-parenting is hard. Raising kids, in general, is hard. But your child is not at a disadvantage because of your divorce. As long as they know they're loved, and as long as there is some stability in their life, divorce can actually help your child thrive in ways you may never have expected. This has certainly been my experience.
FAQs About Kids Thriving in Co-Parenting
Can children really thrive in co-parenting after divorce?
Yes. With structure, communication, and consistency, many children adjust well and thrive in co-parenting arrangements.
What helps kids feel secure in co-parenting?
Predictable routines, reassurance from both parents, and low conflict between households provide kids with a sense of stability.
How important is communication between co-parents?
Very important. Respectful communication between parents keeps children out of the middle and helps coordinate their care smoothly.
Does consistency between households matter?
Yes. Children do best when both homes share similar expectations for routines, discipline, and responsibilities.
How can parents support kids emotionally during co-parenting?
By listening, validating their feelings, encouraging open expression, and showing love and support in both homes.
Can flexibility in co-parenting benefit kids?
Yes. While consistency matters, flexibility helps accommodate children’s changing needs, school schedules, and activities.
How To: Help Kids Thrive in Co-Parenting
Create a consistent schedule
Work together to provide clear routines for transitions, school, and activities so kids know what to expect.
Communicate respectfully
Keep communication civil and focused on the children. Avoid putting kids in the middle of adult conflicts.
Support emotional needs
Listen to your children, validate their feelings, and offer reassurance and love in both households.
Align household rules
Coordinate on basic rules for bedtime, homework, and chores to reduce confusion and create stability.
Stay flexible when needed
Allow for adjustments to schedules when children’s needs, school events, or activities change.
Encourage strong relationships
Support your child’s bond with the other parent and extended family to nurture a healthy sense of belonging.
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