Divorcing parents 'need to put kids first'

05 Jan 2009

Putting children first is key for parents going through a separation or divorce, according to ChildLine.

As part of National Divorce Day (5 January), ChildLine has teamed up with NSPCC website Your Family to help offer parents advice on how to support children through a family break-up.

"Parental separation is a crisis for children as well as adults. Children suffer deeply when the adults they love fall into conflict. They are deeply upset by the hurt, pain and confusion of divorce," explained head of ChildLine, Sue Minto.

"Children can be helped to adjust to the changes happening around them if parents take the time to explain how much they are loved and that whatever happens is not their fault."

Relate reported that in 2007, an estimated 117,000 children in the UK witness their parents' divorce, 20% of whom were under the age of five.

Research for the Kids in the Middle Campaign found that three quarters of people believe that parents arguing in front of their children has an affect on their wellbeing.

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