Divorce is a harsh reality for as many as 48 percent of married couples within the 20 years following the marriage. Most people decide to divorce because they come to the conclusion that they will live happier and more fulfilled lives after they have separated from their spouse. However, the process of divorce is inevitably a stressful and draining one, even if you separate amicably. There is the pressure of doing right by your children and explaining the situation to friends and family can make it feel like the weight of the world is on your shoulders.

The way that you approach the to remember that a divorce should not feel like a battle between two opposing sides, but instead a team moving forward with a common objective: to create a better life for both spouses, and for any children involved.

You might be suffering a large amount of stress when you consider how your children might be affected by the divorce. It is important to remember that divorce itself is not inherently traumatic for children. It is the way that it is dealt with that really matters. It is vital that you and your former spouse show a united front to the children, no matter what age they are, and make an effort to keep a consistent narrative so that they understand what is happening.

A smooth divorce process is possible when all legal aspects are prepared in a timely fashion. Make sure to conduct adequate research, ask your divorce attorney questions and keep the lines of communication with your spouse open.

Source: Findlaw, “Healthy divorce,” accessed Oct. 18, 2017