Talking to Children about Divorce - by Jean McBride, MS, LMFT: A Book Recommendation
How to talk to children about separation and divorce is one of the most concerning aspects of this life transition for parents.
In Talking to Children About Divorce, Jean McBride, a marriage and family therapist for over 25 years and a child of divorce herself, has provided a specific and reassuring guidebook to help parents have age-appropriate conversations at each stage of divorce.
Her book is organized into the following big topics:
Developing Healthy Communication Habits
Getting Kids to Open Up
Preparing for the Talk
Having the Talk
Children’s Reactions and Worries
Answering Your Child’s Tough Questions
Responding to Sticky Situations
Looking Forward
She helpfully provides principles to guide decision-making around communication, concrete suggestions, sample wording, and explores research regarding divorce and how to apply it to help your family move forward.
This book answers parents’ most commonly asked questions, including:
when and how and where should we tell our children that we are getting divorced?
what should we avoid telling our children?
how should I talk about my child’s other parent? what is there are addictions, mental health issues or other difficulties at play?
how do I keep my child out of our conflict and how important is that?
what are my child’s biggest concerns likely to be about the divorce?
what if my child resists going to the other parent’s home or to my home?
how should I talk about a new partner?
This is a clear, well-organized book written to help parents contribute positively to their children’s emotional well-being and adjustment during the divorce transition. Find out more about legal processes that support a healthy divorce transition for children.
Why Christina Recommends This Book
One of the questions I hear most often from parents going through separation is: how do I talk to my kids about this? It's one of the most important things to get right, and yet there is very little practical guidance available. What I appreciate about Jean McBride's book is that it goes well beyond general reassurances and actually gives parents the specific words and frameworks they need for real conversations. The age-appropriate guidance is particularly valuable because what works for a five-year-old is very different from what works for a teenager. I recommend this book to any parent who is navigating separation and wants to support their children through the transition as thoughtfully as possible.
About the Author
Jean McBride, MS, LMFT, is a licensed Marriage and Family Therapist. She has maintained a private practice for thirty years. Her areas of specialization include divorce adjustment, high conflict divorce, parenting after divorce, and remarriage and stepfamilies.
