The divorce process can be extremely difficult and upsetting. Along with this, you’re sure to face many challenges along the way.

If you add a school-age child to the equation, it goes without saying that you need to consider his or her feelings at every stage of the process.

Discussing divorce with a school-age child is never simple. In fact, this can be downright difficult. Fortunately, there are a few things you can do to make this easier:

— Choose the right time and place for the conversation. You and your spouse need to sit down with your child in a quiet place to discuss the divorce. In other words, you should never bring this to light at the wrong time, such as in a public place or at a family dinner.

— Tell your child together. You may think it makes most sense for each parent to separately tell the child about the divorce, but this can cause more harm than good. With this approach, you never know if all parties are on the same page.

— Let the child know that it is not his or her fault. This is one of the biggest problems that parents have when talking to a school-age child about divorce. As soon as the child understands what is going on, they immediately assume that they were at fault in some way, shape, or form.

— Don’t blame the other parent. You know you are going through with the divorce, so there is no point in playing the blame game. Doing so can add to the bad blood, while also putting your child in a difficult spot.

These are just a few of the many steps you can take when discussing divorce with a school-age child.

While everyone is in a different position, you can use this advice to your advantage.

Once you have this conversation out of the way, it’s time to focus on the divorce process and everything it entails. Many people take the time to consult with an attorney, as this ensures that they are always on the right track. On top of this, an attorney can answer your questions and help you overcome any challenges that could be standing in your way.