Divorce and My Child’s Friendships
Friendships become the glue that holds grade school together. For my grade schooler, a new school year means reconnecting with old friends and starting new friendships. She’s my social butterfly and is the first to spot a new student. This year she was happy to have something in common with a new classmate. Both of them have divorced parents. I never realized divorce was a topic of discussion for kids. I never realized how much the divorce statistic affects the kids involved. While her new friend expressed her concern with having to split time between two parents, my daughter was excited to have the best of both worlds. From my daughter’s perspective, there is two of everything such as birthdays, Christmas, etc. It’s hard for me to view divorce in this light. My daughter also thought it would be a good idea for me to connect with her friend’s mother.
My 9yo arranged a future playdate. I realize how important it is for my child to discuss this common thread with her peers. It is bittersweet at times especially when she demands an explanation on things I cannot control or provide an answer. There is so much emphasis on adults coping with divorce, but as a parent, I never thought it was discussed outside of our home. Despite the circumstances, I’m glad my daughter has friends with whom she can share similar concerns and issues. It’s not always a cakewalk but I will say connecting with those who are navigating the same journey is a great source of support.