| After a divorce, you can feel really alone and upset. | | | | Slip a note in your child's lunch box a few times a |
| Some people don't realize that their children are | | | | week. Tell them you love them, tell them a joke or |
| probably feeling the same way - along with being | | | | just cut out a cartoon strip you think they would |
| scared and feeling insecure about what's going to | | | | enjoy. This is a great reminder to your child during |
| happen. The best thing you can do to help your | | | | the day that you're thinking about them and that you |
| children feel safer and happier is to communicate and | | | | love them. |
| connect with them. They need to know that they | | | | 6. Play Little Games |
| have somewhere to turn and that you are still a | | | | To connect with your child while you're doing ordinary |
| family. Here are 10 ways to connect with your | | | | things, like grocery shopping or visiting the bank - |
| children after a divorce. | | | | play little games with them. See who can spot the |
| 1. Use Idle Moments | | | | most shirts of a certain color or play word games. |
| There are so many times when we can really | | | | See which one of you can trip the other one up by |
| connect with our kids. For instance, when you're | | | | coming up with rhyming words of things that are in |
| driving them to and from school, helping them with | | | | view. Anything like this is a great chance to connect |
| homework, or any other time when you're not doing | | | | with your child. |
| something else. Take the time to ask them how | | | | 7. Start a Project Together |
| they are feeling and really listen. | | | | Connect with your child by starting a great project |
| 2. Let Them Help with Dinner | | | | together that will take a while to finish. Set up a |
| You can also connect with your children simply by | | | | puzzle on an unused table in your home and work on |
| doing things together. Ask them to help you with | | | | it together for an hour a day. Build plastic car models |
| dinner and not only will they be learning important | | | | together or something else that you both enjoy. |
| things - they will have the chance to talk to you and | | | | 8. Volunteer |
| tell you about their feelings. Ask them about their | | | | Volunteer at a charity, VA hospital, regular hospital or |
| day at school or anything else that will open up the | | | | somewhere else once or twice a month and take |
| lines of communication. | | | | your child. You will be fostering a great character trait |
| 3. Have a Family Night | | | | in your child and it's also a wonderful time to connect |
| Another great idea is to have a family fun night. You | | | | and spend time with him or her. |
| could gather around the table and play board games, | | | | 9. Learn Together |
| cuddle on the couch with popcorn and a good movie | | | | Take a local pottery class, art class or some other |
| or go out to the bowling alley or skating rink. This is a | | | | sort of class with your child. Find out what they are |
| great way to connect and have a little fun with your | | | | interested in and spend time learning about it with |
| children, as well as strengthen the bonds between | | | | them. This is a great activity for your child and a |
| you. | | | | great time for you to connect with them. |
| 4. Play Hooky | | | | 10. Before Bed |
| Once a month or every few months, check your | | | | Before you tell your child good night, spend half an |
| child out of school around lunch time and take them | | | | hour reading to them or talking about your own |
| to their favorite place to eat. This is a great chance | | | | childhood or anything else that you want to talk |
| to catch up with what's going on in their lives and | | | | about. This is a great routine to get your child into. It |
| have some good, quality time together. Try to | | | | will help them unwind after their day and is a |
| schedule it during the classes your child is not | | | | wonderful time to connect. |
| struggling in or the ones they are really proficient | | | | By connecting in these ways, you can help your child |
| with. | | | | feel more secure, more special and eliminate their |
| 5. Slip Them a Note | | | | worry and anxiety about the divorce and their family. |