Via Babble:
“How Does Divorce Affect Children? It depends on the kid.”
Someone got paid to think that up.
Obvious Headline of the Day
Published by Theodore
Theodore Ross is an editor of Harper’s Magazine. His writing has appeared in Harper’s, Saveur, Tin House, the Mississippi Review, and (of course), the Vietnam News. He grew up in New York City by way of Gulfport, MS, and as a teen played the evil Nazi, Toht, in Raiders of the Lost Ark: The Adaptation. He lives with his son, J.P. in Brooklyn, and is currently working on a book about Crypto-Jews. View more posts
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How does divorce affect kids? What is the sound of one hand clapping. When I think of that question all I have to refer to is my own experience as an 11 year old boy when my parents went through their ugliness 36 years ago (Wow). I am and have been so worried about how my daughter would take it on the inevitable day when my wife would move out. I have been able to avoid, delay, and stop this from happening for 3 years, but all the ballast has been released and she is leaving. I had thought (hoped) that my 5 year old daughter would have fits, nightmares, meltdowns, and trouble in kindergarten. Freaks me out man, she is actually excited about mommy having her own house in which she can live (half time) too. This did not fit into my world view, and still does not. My beautiful perfect daughter so wants to share with me her excitement about her new play room (small walk in closet)and the horses next door (I’m allergic)and the nice old man who owns the property where the cottage is nestled between orange trees. Sounds lovely. I want to hate it, I want to hate the landlord, I want my daughter to hate it.
So, what is the effect of divorce on children?
Excitement, joy, thrill.
Better to ask what is the effect of divorce on your inner child?