Mediate Michigan

This is a question that has crossed the minds of many, especially when they might have time or a life option of when to divorce. Or it can be a way of looking back on your children’s ages when you did divorce to convince yourself that it really wasn’t that hard on the kids. Sorry, it always is hard on them. Most folks who haven’t read the studies on this topic will assume that it is easiest when your children are young adults: at the end of high school? while they are in college? Or starting off on their own? Divorcing couples expect these adult children to be only minimally disturbed. Wrong. Reactions of adult children are still very intense and similar to those younger, just on a different level.

Grown children may mourn a lost way of life and feel that their family memories are only illusions. They may be embarrassed, especially if a parent is involved with a younger person, perhaps someone closer to their age. And they may also be angry at being burdened with what they feel is another problem — their parents need for emotional support at a time when they have issues of their own.

via Vicki Lansky: At What Age is Your Divorce Easiest on Your Children? Did You Guess the Older Ones?.