HOW TO TELL THE KIDS
Breaking the news of the parents' divorce
A Research Study conducted by Vikki Stark, M.S.W.
The Study
The moment at which a child learns that his parents are getting divorced is a watershed moment in his life, one which divides his life into “before the divorce” and “after the divorce”, yet very little has been studied about how that news is delivered.
The purpose of this study is to explore the affect on children and teens of the manner in which they are informed about their parents' divorce. The goal is to learn the best way for parents to break the news to their kids in order to soften the impact of this potentially traumatic turning point in a child's life.
Method
The Study will be conducted online using a questionnaire targetting:
- Children ages 4-12 (to be completed with the help of a parent)
- Teens ages 13-17 (to be completed with a parent's approval)
- Adults who were kids or teens when their parents divorced
Why Participate?
- The results of the Study will help future parents know how to break the news in the kindest and smartest way possible and therefore protect kids.
- The story of how you learned about your parents' divorce is an important part of your history. Exploring it can help you understand and integrate it.
- If you’re a divorced parent, talking with your child about his experience can be therapeutic.
The Questionnaire
Please click HERE to access the questionnaire online. As much detail as you can add to your answers will be greatly appreciated.
Researcher
Vikki Stark, M.S.W., is a family therapist and the author of Runaway Husbands: The Abandoned Wife's Guide to Recovery and Renewal, and My Sister, My Self: Understanding the Sibling Relationship that Shapes Our Lives, Our Loves and Ourselves. She writes a blog for Psychology Today magazine called Schlepping Through Heartbreak.
This study is being sponsored by the Sedona Counselling Centre of Montreal.
