| MUMMY & DADDY DONT LOVE EACH OTHER ANY MORE
To protect your kids in a divorce situation needs to be the prime concern of both parents. As hard as it is to discuss divorce with children of any age, it can be more of a challenge with your really young ones. They do not yet have the vocabularies or understanding to comprehend much of what is going on around them.
Keep it simple
It is necessary to speak to them very simply, using words you know they understand, and expressing ideas in ways that they can grasp. As with older children, keep your inner turmoil in check. It’s best to stick to simple facts. You don’t have to go into complicated explanations. All the younger ones need to hear is that you and Daddy will be living in two different houses, and that they will get to stay at both places. Anything beyond that will go over their heads or they will misunderstand.
Stay as upbeat as possible
As difficult as it will be sometimes, to protect your kids stay as upbeat as possible. Keep your children in a routine that they can rely on, and try very hard not to refer to the divorce any more than is necessary. Give them periods of time when life goes on as usual, in which they don’t have to think about changes or worries. Ensure any conversations with third parties are not overheard by them.
Don’t hesitate to answer questions
...but keep as much emotionalism out of your answers as you possibly can. Little ones will ask “why?” repeatedly, so be prepared to be patient. Supply non-judgmental answers. If a little one asks ‘why’ when you tell him Daddy will live somewhere else, simply tell him that everyone will be happier with a little more room. Don’t begrudge the little ones the opportunity to adjust to visiting their father by making them feel anxious or guilty for wanting to go.
Use dolls or enter into make-believe(for little ones)
For those little ones who understand by example, you can demonstrate the new arrangements with play. Use dolls or enter into make-believe yourself and pretend it’s visiting time. Children will adjust faster if they lose their fear of the unknown. You might consider taking them on a brief tour of the area they will be going to when they visit their dad. Keep your attitude positive and if at all possible, enlist the aid of their father in helping them to adjust. Divorce is a difficult time for keeping the lines of communication open, but it’s necessary now more than ever.
Be honest with your children
While you want to avoid displays of extreme emotions, you also want to be honest with your children. This is tricky to navigate because children will want to comfort you. While this is a sweet gesture, it is damaging for children to become caregivers. Don’t rely on your children or confide in them. Don’t hand them your emotional burdens. The younger ones especially will not know how to deal with that and will internalize your unhappiness and feel responsible for making you happy.
Accentuate the positive as much as you can.
Be an example for your little ones. What they see in actions can often tell them far more than words, since their vocabularies are still so small. Be affectionate, and find times to give them your undivided attention. Watch for signs of emotional stress and try to find ways to reassure them. Children are very adaptable, and can adjust to divorce if both parents resolve ahead of time to keep the negative aspects away from their children. | 
