Divorce brings with it all kinds of different emotions. If your parents are divorced, you already know that. Sometimes you will be sad, sometimes angry, sometimes lonely, and sometimes many other different emotions. But, is it ok to be happy? Shouldn’t you be upset and sad following your parents’ divorce? …at least for a little while?
Some kids are happy following their parents divorce, and that is ok! Maybe your parents fought a lot. That can be very stressful to you as their child, and maybe you are happy that you just don’t have to listen to it anymore. Maybe your Dad pays more attention to you when you spend time together after the divorce than he ever did before. That can definitely make you happy. Maybe you’ve had to move or something else that you view your life like a big adventure, and going on that adventure makes you happy. It doesn’t matter what it is that makes you happy, the important thing to remember is that it is perfectly acceptable for you to be happy following your parents’ divorce. And, no one should tell you otherwise.
When you are happy, enjoy it! Even if you are generally happy with the divorce, there will likely be times when that fades and you’re not so happy anymore. That’s ok too. Sometimes we are happy, and sometimes we are not – that doesn’t change after a divorce. The important thing is that we understand that however we feel, that’s ok. It is also important to recognize how we feel and find someone we trust to talk to about it. So, if you’re happy go find something fun to do and enjoy being happy. There is plenty of time for other emotions at a later time.
The teen years can be a particularly hard time for children to experience the divorce of their parents. This article from Risa Garcon explains why and offers some practical advice to both parents and teens.
