17 Healthy Habits To Develop For Your Kids After A Divorce

Divorce is not easy on anyone, let alone children. Parents separating is something millions of children have to deal with each year. While each transition is different, they are all difficult and children have to learn to adapt to a new lifestyle and routines. This can be difficult on the children as well as the parents. However, as the parent, you need to focus on implementing healthy habits, not only for your children, but for you as well.

Healthy habits will help you all manage your new life and handle the separation in a healthier way. It’s important to note, these recommendations are not always an ideal option for everyone or at this specific time. That’s fine, but keep them in mind as you work on building a more sustainable routine for your kids.

Divorce & Kids

One of the biggest frustrations parents have is trying to manage a new life, with their kids, and keep their former partner involved. That’s usually the biggest challenge and it creates stress among the parents as they now have to fight over who gets what time and who is responsible for what. Telling someone that you just divorced that they need to pick up the kids and run errands isn’t as easy as you would think.

Communication is difficult in these situations because at a time when you two should be minimizing communication, you have to still talk and work together because of the children. This is why it’s important to give yourself a break and perhaps even talk to a therapist.

Healthy Habits To Work On

It’s important to remember that you are not going to accomplish any of these goals or tips in a single day. Each takes time and if you want to see results, you need to work on them every day. Be patient with your kids because some of these aren’t as fun as others.

1. No device time: This will probably be the most unpopular one but kids need a break from their devices, especially as they get older. Teens need to get out and have some fun, spend time with family or get some work done. Limit device time, especially during the school year and make sure responsibilities are taken care of before devices are used.
2. Set a cleaning time: Every Saturday morning or Thursday afterschool, you are going to spend two hours cleaning the house and everyone will be helping. Set a time so that the kids know when they have to clean.
3. Set chores: What chores do your kids need to get done during the week? Washing the dishes, taking out the trash or other stuff? Make a list for them and make it easy for them to remember and keep track of what they are doing.
4. Build a routine: We all benefit from some type of routine in our lives and that is especially true with children. If you want to give them balance in their lives after a divorce, build a routine for them that they can get used to.
5. Plan meals ahead of time: If you want until after work to decide what’s for dinner, the answer will be something from a restaurant. That means money and usually stuff that isn’t as healthy. Have your meals planned early so that you can commit to everyone eating healthy.
6. Consider therapy: Many health insurance plans offer free therapy for children, and so do many schools. Look into options for your kids and talk to their counselors and teachers as well.
7. Regular bedtime: Making sure your kids are getting enough sleep is a great start. However, setting a regular bedtime is important as well because it gets them involved in the routine and makes it easier for them to stick to it.
8. Reward versus routine: Do not make rewards part of the routine. Regular work needs to be done and yes, you will have fun and you will do fun things but rewards are meant to be given for accomplishments and great efforts, not just because their parents have gotten a divorce.
9. Allowance: Taking out the trash and doing your laundry are not things that should be rewarded. That is part of taking care of yourself and your house. If you are going to reward kids, it should be for their schoolwork first. An allowance that pays them for doing well in school not only motivates them, but also helps you stay on top of their work in school.
10. Respect interests: Your kids are going to take on new interests, especially as they learn about new things from their friends at school. Yes, they may lose interest in a week, or you may not think it’s something worth their time. However, if it’s not unhealthy for them to take an interest in the new activity, sport or whatever it is, allow them too and take an interest as well.
11. Nature whenever you can: Get them outside and play, hiking, exploring, fishing or doing anything outside. Working outside is not getting them outside. They need to have fun and run around, even teenagers.
12. Be smart with money: Teach your children about money. The schools are not. Where are they supposed to learn? Show them how to manage their money, what things cost and give them an education that will benefit them for years.
13. Don’t be afraid to talk: Divorce is difficult and while you are building these new habits and routines for your kids you may be also minimizing their time and opportunity to talk about the separation. Allow them to speak their mind, vent their frustrations and say what they feel.
14. Water: Drinking water needs to be a priority. Yes, they can have juice and tea and whatever else they want but make sure you are mixing in plenty of water throughout the day.
15. Time with friends: Give them alone time as well as time where they can talk to their friends. This is important for them because they need to be able to develop a social life beyond their home and immediate family.
16. No venting: Your kids can and will vent about anything and everything. You have to be more selective, especially when it comes to your divorce. You cannot vent about their other parents. Even if you want to, even if you really are in the right, you need to minimize venting because it does have an effect on them.

There is nothing easy about divorce and it takes it’s toll on children. If you want to help them with these changes and also improve your health routines at home, get to work on areas that need to be addressed and discover ways to keep things as part of your new routine.