Children and Divorce

Divorce can affect children in many ways, but knowing how to help them can help. These resources give some ideas.

Parents’ Guide to Caring for Children After Separation (PDF 836Kb)
Your children, understanding your feelings and some ideas for helping with them, help from other people, communicating with each other and your children, planning your children’s living arrangements, moving away, new partners, recording the arrangements you’ve agreed, what to do when you can’t agree, and some common myths and realities.

Provided by Ministry of Justice, a government ministry contributing to creating a fairer and safer New Zealand, and to the shared justice sector outcomes.

A Family In Two Homes
Advice and ideas for telling your kids that your break up is about to happen to them.

Provided by Relationship Services, a leading provider of counselling and education services in New Zealand, helping people to build better relationships.

Involvement of Children and Fathers During Separation and Post-Divorce Life
A discussion of the effect on children of their relationship with their father after separation and divorce.

Provided by Roy McKenzie Centre for the Study of Families, providing independent Aotearoa New Zealand based research and information on families and whanau to assist law makers, inform policy decisions and educate communities and professionals.

Divorce and Children
Explaining about divorce to a child, helping them deal with their feelings, where to get help, and things to remember.

Provided by Better Health Channel, providing health and medical information for consumers, quality assured by the Victorian government (Australia).

Children and Parental Remarriage
A review of research on households of couples who had dependent children from previous marriages or marriage-like relationships.

Provided by the The Fatherhood Foundation, they encourage and support dialogue on issues impacting on fathers and their role in families and society.

Living in a Blended Family
Some frequently asked questions, and suggestions.

Provided by Relationships Australia, an organisation that offers resources to couples, individuals and families to help enhance and support relationships.

For further resources on parenting during and after a family break-up, see Breaking Up/Divorcing Well in Supporting Your Marriage or Relationship.

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Children and Divorce

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