When you’ve decided to divorce your spouse and you have no children left at home, you may think that the case will be relatively straightforward. However, if you have children in college or you have adult children you’re close to, this could be a real disruption in their lives.
It’s important to keep your adult children informed but also to think about factors of the case that could impact them, so you can protect them and reassure them that you and the other parent are separating to make a positive difference.
Bringing up the divorce with a college-aged child
Your college-aged child would not necessarily need to receive child support, but you and the other parent could be supporting them through college right now. If you are, it may be helpful to bring that up during your divorce discussion. If you plan to continue paying, let your child know. If you’re going to move or have a new phone number, give them that information.
Keeping a college-age child informed about divorce and giving them time to ask questions is important for maintaining a positive relationship and minimizing stress as they handle their schoolwork.
Talking to self-sufficient adult children about divorce
It can be easy to lay all your problems on an adult child, because they’re old enough to understand what you’re going through. That being said, your child is still your child, and finding out that their parents aren’t happy together or want to be apart could still be hurtful.
Adult children can be just as devastated about a divorce as younger children, so bring up the topic when both of you have time to discuss it. If anything about your family will have a major change, such as if you plan to move to a different state, don’t blindside your child. Let them know if you have a job offer or plan to move closer to family, and invite them to ask questions to help them understand what’s happening.
These are a few things you can do to talk to your adult children about your divorce. This can be a frustrating time in your life, but it’s valuable to make sure your actions are clear.
