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Balakhane Mediation includes On-line Divorce and Family Mediation Services where all Mediation Sessions are conducted on-line. Contact us to learn more.

How to Explain Divorce to Your Children

Many close friends and family members will try to give you advice on how to deal with your divorce. One of the most difficult matters to deal with is telling the kids. It may be tempting to put it off for as long as possible, but prolonging the process will not prevent you from getting divorced. Thus, it is best to make a plan for how you will present a divorce to your children.

My experiences speaking with older children whose parents have gone through a divorce have given me an insider’s perspective on how children respond to and deal with divorce. Several main factors should be considered when telling your child about the divorce.

First, your kids will feel strongly about the divorce no matter how you present the divorce to them. It is very important to tell them your reason(s) for separating. Though responses may vary, your children will want to know why you are getting divorced.

Children of divorce will cope in various ways, depending on how they feel about their parents’ marriage. Some kids will go through a period of emotional turmoil because their lives change drastically as a result of the divorce. Other kids may not be as affected because they understand the reasons for their parents’ separation and are supportive of the change.

Studies suggest it takes around two years for children to acclimate to a divorce, but it is important to remove your children from conflicts between you and your spouse. Additionally, openness and honesty seems to help ease the transition for kids, which is why is important to approach the topic of divorce with clarity and timeliness.

Moving forward, it is best to keep your children abreast of important changes. Divorces are difficult on everyone involved, and it will make your child’s life easier if they know the logistics of the separation.

When creating a plan in which you will explain your divorce, it is best to keep certain guidelines in mind. Mainly, you must exercise caution when considering your child’s age as they may not always understand or take information well at certain points in their lives. Additionally, you should be honest, open to discussions about divorce, and avoid depending on your children for emotional support.

If you have any questions or concerns about Mediation, or would like to
schedule a complimentary mediation consultation, please don’t hesitate to contact me today!
Leyla Balakhane is a Family Law Mediator in the Los Angeles area
and can be reached at 424.235.4173

Sue Gramacy
Sue Gramacy
October 25, 2022.
I recommend Leyla Balakhane for resolving family disputes. She listens carefully, appreciates the emotions and needs that underline each conversation . She is genuinely concerned with the well being of all parties involved. She is very effective. What’s great is she always focuses on the best interest of the children. I have worked with Leyla for over 10 years and have watched her work her magic with families. Sue Gramacy
Stacey Lisk
Stacey Lisk
October 14, 2022.
Leyla Balakhane was one of the supervising mediators that worked with us at Edmund D Edelman Children’s Court. Given that she was one of the top mediators working on unlawful detainer cases, she was referred by a judge who found her to be incredibly gifted in what she does and felt that she would be a great asset in working with families. Leyla has a natural ability to connect with the families and helping them reach agreements that is far above whats required. Given that she was very interested in growing in her practice, she was able to help create a more in-depth and detailed parenting checklist which led to a higher success rate in or mediations at the Children’s Court. Because of Leyla many families have more profound and insightful agreements. I would add supervising mediator
Your RN Attorney Jennifer Johnston Terando
Your RN Attorney Jennifer Johnston Terando
October 12, 2022.
Leyla Balakhane is knowledgable, compassionate, and effective. I highly recommend her as a mediator.
Shsavina TehrNi
Shsavina TehrNi
October 10, 2022.
Thank you Leyla for helping us finalize a very difficult journey. We are able to have a better coparenting relationship because of everything you taught us. We are both very grateful for helping us resolve all issues in an amicable manner.
Rachel Hsiung
Rachel Hsiung
March 17, 2022.
Leyla is professional, patient and wonderful person to work with. She’s a good negotiator and listener to help her clients to get amicable results.
Noah Stern
Noah Stern
October 9, 2021.
Layla is a superb mediator. She helped my family through a tough time with ease. I highly recommend Leyla for any family going through a challenging time.
sepideh doust
sepideh doust
March 28, 2021.
Leyla Balakhane was my supervising mediator at children's courthouse. She taught me great communication tools to implement in my mediation practice. She helps the family, social worker, attorneys, and others involved in the case facilitate meaningful discussion and resolve the issues sent to mediation. Her level of wisdom is uncanny. She is able to bring awareness for parents to make the best decision for their family. I would highly recommend her as a skilled mediator in the field of family mediation.
Zak Shapiro
Zak Shapiro
January 22, 2021.
Leyla is an exemplary mediator for couples going through a divorce. She has the couples best interest in mind at all times through out the mediation process. She truly supports couples in making the best decision for them, whether its to help work towards reconciliation or agree on divorce terms. She helps couple find creative and collaborative solutions for their division of assets and debts. She is patient and understanding of what both parties are going though, and she carefully and thoughtfully helps to find a solution. I Cannot recommend her enough!
Matthew Khorsandi
Matthew Khorsandi
September 28, 2020.
Leyla is an incredible mediator with a wealth of knowledge and experience. Most importantly, she genuinely cares for the people she works with. Highly recommend.