Many divorces go along smoothly, but when problems occur, they usually reflect the dynamics that didn’t work in the marriage—only made worse, because divorce is one of the biggest crises you may go through. Emotions, especially fear and anger, are at their peak.
There are definite pitfalls to avoid and positive steps that can save your sanity and help you move on.
All divorces are unique and vary depending on:
1. The marital relationship;
2. The reasons for the divorce;
3. Whether children are involved; and
4. Who initiated the divorce.
Yet there are some common issues, largely based on mistaken beliefs and strong emotions.
Mistakes to Avoid
Unfortunately, divorce is an adversarial process. It can be a mistake to assume your spouse has your best interests at heart during the divorce. Probably, he or she won’t. I’m not suggesting you act out of anger, but you may be hurt and disappointed if you assume everything will be divided without anger and that you’ll remain close friends. It’s better to expect anger, but try not to react to it.
Anger, jealousy, guilt, fear, and hurt can interfere with your judgment and escalate conflict. You may remain friends, but it takes a certain amount of energy to separate. Think of the tremendous force required to split the atom. At least one spouse generally gets angry to break up the marriage.
Hopefully, you can at least be honest with each other, but often fear takes over, facts get hidden, and attorneys sometimes fuel conflict. Disclosure is the best approach since deception or concealment is likely to backfire and breed resistance and contempt when the truth inevitably comes out.
It’s also a mistake to try to over-control everything out of fear or anger. It may be hard to accept that you won’t get all you want, particularly if you’re relinquishing some or a lot of control over your children. Yet it’s possible to be assertive and still be kind. See my ebook, How to Speak Your Mind – Become Assertive and Set Limits and my webinar, How to Be Assertive.
Obtain legal advice early, and find an experienced Family Law Specialist with trial experience. Listen to your attorney, but also listen to yourself. If you’ve had problems standing up for yourself in your marriage, find a strong attorney to stand up for you.
Mediation can be an effective alternative if your communication with your spouse is good, but it’s important to retain your own attorney to advise you of your rights. However, mediation is not advisable, if you’re easily intimidated by your spouse or there is addiction or any abuse. If you were able to negotiate and problem-solve n the marriage, then mediation can work well.
Now’s the time to take care of you and your children. It’s a big mistake not to get enough support. Get all you can from lawyers, accountants, therapists, family, friends, and spiritual groups. You can’t be there for your children if you’re not getting your needs met. In fact, most parents emotionally neglect their children during divorce. The losses and changes you go through are so overwhelming and stressful that it’s hard to be present for them, but they’re really sad and scared, too. Even savvy teenagers. The teens are a vulnerable period, especially for boys.
Spend quality alone time with each one of your children, and listen to them. Don’t talk about your spouse or use them as confidants. That’s very destructive. It’s also a mistake to let children of any age decide with whom they want to live. Listen to their feelings, but make that decision with your spouse. It’s too big of a responsibility, even for a 17 year-old.
Another mistake is to take too much or too little time with the divorce. As discussed more extensively in my published article, “Growing Through Divorce“, there are five stages to divorce and the “emotional divorce” is the most pivotal and difficult. Rushing doesn’t give you time to work through emotions that end up fueling legal battles. On the other hand, a divorce that drags on for years reflects that you haven’t emotionally unbonded and need professional help to let go.
After a divorce, the two biggest challenges are setting new boundaries with your ex and balancing grieving with moving forward in your life. If you haven’t unbonded emotionally, there’ll be greater reactivity and fights, or the reverse, insufficient boundaries and too much closeness that keep you from moving on.
Do’s of Divorce
1. Create support and social networks. This is important not only for support, but as part of building a new single lifestyle. Plan activities, take a class, or buy season tickets that force you to get out even when you don’t feel like it. Avoid any temptation to isolate.
2. Engage competent legal counsel. Some states, including California, certify family law specialists.
3. Be assertive and courteous. Ask for what you need, and be willing to compromise.
4. Find your passion and learn something new about it. Take action. What you do today creates your future tomorrow.
5. Accept the reality that you’re divorced and that it’s your responsibility to create happiness in your life. It’s okay to be angry about it. That’s part of acceptance.
6. Establish new, clear boundaries with your ex.
7. Journal and write daily things you did well. Jot down and date small signs of healing—such as crying less, trying new things, socializing more.
Don’t’s of Divorce
1. Expect your spouse to take care of your needs.
2. Make decisions based on your emotions.
3. Confide in or talk negatively to your children about your ex.
4. Lie, conceal, manipulate, or over-control.
5. Judge yourself. Negative self-talk is so destructive. It saps your energy and can turn fatigue or sadness into hopelessness. Get my ebook, 10 Steps to Self-esteem.
6. Ruminate about the past. Don’t let depression take over. Get professional help if you feel stuck.
7. Wait for invitations on holidays, including your birthday. Unlike when you were married when your family honored your birthday, now you have to make plans in advance to honor yourself.
8. Seek therapy if you’re having trouble working, parenting, managing your emotions, or letting go. Get the “14 Tips for Letting Go” on my website.
© Darlene Lancer, JD, LMFT 2011
Join my mailing list for free “14 Tips for Letting Go.” Read Growing Through Divorce” and “After Divorce – Letting Go and Moving On.” Read my other articles on divorce, and listen to my interview about moving on after divorce.
A great article with one small point to clarify. You said “The teens are [in] a vulnerable period, especially for boys.” I think that generalization is dangerous as it may suggest to a reader/parent that they don’t have to worry about their daughters. Instead, both boys and girls are very much at risk and both must be attended to lest any one of them fall through the cracks. Other than that, a great article.
Thank you. The statement is based on research. My guess is that more often mothers acquire custody, and young boys are missing a male role model and guidance.
I am not saying that boys don’t suffer more. They do. But that your general audience might come to the wrong conclusion that they can worry less about their daughters. Readers sometimes miss the point. As before though, this is a very helpful article. Thank you.
I feel your article was very helpful. You didn’t single males or females out. Your article is to help survivors leave a toxic marriage. I’ve been married for over 10 years, I couldn’t handle life in my marriage anymore and felt I was dying inside. The abuse was so overwhelming and he even became more abusive to our children. I’ve received some help from my sister’s house, but due to covid-19 there isn’t much help. Times have been very hard, so thank you for your article.
Your article lacks one point which severely damages your credibility. Speaking as if only husbands are the abuser, codependent, gaslighter, etc..is wrong. Wives can and often are not only the perpetrators but due to their generally superior social skills and networking they can wreak far more havoc. I’m a disabled former psychiatrist.I concur with your points except for blaming men and failing to recognize women can be deviously more abusive. I plead a plethora of times with my ex to go with me to counseling before divorce. She refused. Through gradual disclosure I have learned &recorded my kids screaming they hate her. So far I’ve failed2 stop this
No where in the article do I single out dads. The article is neutral, so I think you’re projecting your feelings into it. Of course, women can also be malicious and are often the majority of parental alienators. It is important to get children’s input and courts are supposed to consider their best interest. I emphasize listening to their feelings. They can speak to custody evaluators and judges, but shouldn’t have the weight of the decision-making, which in the majority of cases leaves them feeling guilty sometimes years later. Some parents just ask the children whom they want to live with and give them the decision making authority, which is wrong.