Coping when your parents divorce in your 20's
This is a heart-felt article by a journalist that went through the divorce of her parents at age 21. She found the emotional fall-out very difficult to cope with: losing the idealised view of her idyllic family, being subjected to the reality and pain of the experience from both sides, supporting both parents without taking sides, preserving the relationship with both.
As a profession, we are aware of the damage that can be inflicted upon younger children during divorce but the impact of relationship breakdown is severe on children (and all family members), no matter what their age and this cannot be negated.
The article provides some useful tips for overcoming this painful time.
.. I have also learned a lot from the experience and I have no doubt that I wouldn’t be the person I am today had it not been for the events of ten years ago. I am calm under pressure, I am an expert mediator and I’ve learned just how important it is to nurture and look after my own marriage, not just for the sake of my husband but for my baby daughter. I don’t want her to have to experience what I did. Weirdly, I also have excellent relationships with both of my parents, particularly my dad. We experienced a trauma together, we got through it and we value each other so much more. We see each other in a different light - as best friends who can tell each other anything.”
