Virginia Family Law Blog

Many people in Virginia and elsewhere live in unhappy relationships. They may do so for a variety of reasons, and one of those reasons may be because they think that staying together will be better for the children than putting them through a divorce. However, parents who stay together but continue to fight may not provide an example of healthy relationships.

Some parents may think that they are making a sacrifice for the good of their children by remaining in high-conflict relationships. On the contrary, children who grew up with married parents who fought a lot are more likely to get divorced themselves. If parents in high-conflict relationships divorce, their children do not see as high a likelihood of getting divorced.

Most Virginia residents do not get married with the intention of later ending that marriage. Of course, life often throws unpredictable circumstances at the majority of people, so even if individuals believe they have found the love of their life, it is possible for the marriage to end in divorce. Unfortunately, such an occurrence can be difficult to handle.

When going through such a life-changing event, it is important that individuals do not let their well-being fall to the wayside. It is far too easy to let negative emotions take over, especially when one person did not want the divorce. As a result, parties may want to focus on ways to maintain their physical and mental health during this time.

Indecision can take a toll on a person in many ways. When the choice that needs to be made pertains to something that could be life changing, it is understandable that individuals may have a difficult time making the decision. For example, some Virginia residents may be contemplating divorce but wonder whether it is right for them.

Making this type of decision certainly deserves to be thought about thoroughly. Of course, if individuals go back and forth and cannot decide what to do, they may start to see negative effects of that indecision, such as moodiness and inattention that affects their work and health and puts a strain on relationships with other loved ones. Because so much time and effort have gone into the marriage, it can be difficult for people to simply decide to walk away.

Regardless of the ages of children whose parents are getting divorced in Virginia, the emotional toll that such a significant change in the family dynamic creates, can undoubtedly affect them in numerous ways. While children are resilient in many ways, they often require committed love and understanding in being able to overcome the challenges associated with divorce. 

The reactions and responses of children whose parents are separated and working toward divorce will vary drastically depending on several notable factors. These factors may include the following:

• The age of the children in the family. 
• The relationships the children have with each of their parents. 
• The environment the children have been brought up in. 
• The presence or lack of a strong support group of friends and family. 
• The unique behavioral and personality traits of each child.