Going through a separation or divorce can be very difficult, no matter the reason for it. It can turn your world upside down and make it hard to get through the work day and stay productive. It’s normal to feel sad, angry, exhausted, frustrated and confused—and these feelings can be intense. You also may feel anxious about the future. Even if the marriage was unhealthy, venturing into the unknown is frightening.

Also separation, divorce and remarriage can create challenges for the whole family – especially the children. Quite often, children and adolescents experience feelings of sadness, loneliness and confusion as a result of a major family change.

There are things you can do to get through this difficult adjustment:

• Give yourself a break
• Don’t go through this alone
• Take care of yourself emotionally and physically
• Take time to explore your interests
• Think positively. Life will get back to normal, although “normal” may be different from what you had originally hope

Focus on practical strategies for coping with the challenges children and youth up to 18 and their parents face in their day-to-day lives when parents no longer live together.

• reducing parental conflict;
• strengthening relationships between parents;
• helping children adjust to loss;
• improving parent/child relationships;
• creating successful blended families;