When you’re going through a divorce, it’s the reality that certain things might not get done. Maybe you weren’t focused, so you didn’t help your children with their homework as often as you’d have liked. Maybe you didn’t continue taking them to a tutor due to financial issues.
Whatever the reality is, if your child is struggling in school and you’ve been through a divorce, you need to step in to help. Children struggle in school for a variety of reasons, from losing access to a parent who regularly helped with homework to being distracted by life at home. It’s your job, as a parent, to help them get back on track.
How can you assist your child with schoolwork after a divorce?
One thing that helps a lot after a divorce is getting back into a routine. Children may have had a routine before divorce, such as coming home from school, eating a snack, doing homework, playing and having dinner. If that was disrupted, it’s time to get back to normal. Make sure you are prepared to assist them with getting them a snack and helping with homework during set times each day. This will refocus everyone’s energy on what needs to be done instead of focusing on what has happened recently.
If emotional issues are to blame, consider activities to help your child cope
Every child is different. If your child is struggling emotionally, you may want to take a few days away to help them “reset” and get back into a happy frame of mind. If the difficulties aren’t resolving after a few months, you may want to consider children’s therapy. Anything from music therapy to art or animal therapy may be a possibility and help your child express their emotions and cope with the feelings they may not yet understand. At the same time, you should be there to support them and remind them that this situation is not their fault and that you love them.
It can be hard to raise children after a divorce, especially if your child is struggling emotionally and in school. The added stress makes life harder, but addressing it early is a good way to help your child get back to acting like themselves and to support them in catching up with their peers. Divorces take a toll on everyone, so take the time to check in with your child and provide support when you can.
