An Oregon divorce may have you feeling overwhelmed and angry at your one-time partner. However, it is important that you figure out a healthy way to channel any anger or resentment you may feel toward your ex so that any children you share do not suffer as a result.
Per Psychology Today, children feel the impacts when conflicts arise between their parents. The more contentious the relationship between a child’s parents is, the more likely he or she is to feel the effects.
How parental conflicts impact kids
Research suggests that your child experiences negative effects when you and his or her other parent fight with one another regardless of whether you remain in your marriage or decide to part ways. However, a highly adversarial divorce tends to heighten conflicts. This in turn raises the chances of your child experiencing psychological or emotional consequences due to the strained relationship between parents. When you and your ex have a contentious relationship, your child becomes more likely to experience anxiety, depression and low self-esteem. Your son or daughter also becomes more likely to develop or experience behavioral or mental health issues.
How to help reduce parental conflicts
Some parents with acrimonious relationships find that it benefits them and reduces conflicts to communicate exclusively via email. Creating a parenting plan may also help prevent future disagreements by spelling out the terms to which you two agree. You and your ex may also find it helpful to decide in advance how to handle any future disagreements that arise between you.
The more efforts you make to reduce animosity between you and your child’s other parent, the more likely your child is to benefit from your efforts.