Enduring a divorce can be a truly painful experience for everyone involved, especially your kids. They may be totally unaware of any problems you were having, and the divorce can be a sudden, heartbreaking, and confusing moment. They may also be aware of what is happening, and the divorce may seem like a relief. You won’t know unless you talk to them and help them manage their emotions. A Texas divorce lawyer can help you figure out the right course of action.

Divorcing With Kids Involved

A divorce can be painful enough without also having to make sure your kids don’t get hurt during it. When you file for divorce, your first priority may be severing your emotional and marital ties with someone you may no longer feel anything towards. It depends on the situation. Throughout it all, you may be so focused on ending things with your spouse that ensuring your kids’ well-being may fall to the side. If that happens, you must get things back on track.

It’s understandable to feel betrayed, enraged, confused, and heartbroken as you navigate your divorce. Just remember that your kids are probably feeling the same way, but they might not be emotionally mature enough yet to express those feelings. It is up to you to sit them down and let them vent about their frustrations, and they can only do that if they feel they can trust you. They may feel like the divorce is their fault, and they can’t fix it. They need your reassurance.

Texas has one of the lowest divorce rates in the country, with the divorce rate around 2022 being only 1.9 per 1,000 residents, according to the Centers for Disease Control (CDC). The marriage rate, though, is fairly average, with World Population Review listing it as 49.3% as of 2025. Many people struggle with divorce throughout Texas. It’s not easy to deal with. If you are having trouble dealing with your divorce, a local support group like DivorceCare can help you.

How to Prioritize Your Kids’ Emotional Welfare

If you aren’t careful, your kids could suffer some serious emotional trauma as a result of your divorce. It can be easy to slip into denial or just ignore the problem and hope it goes away. Generally, this won’t work in the long run. The last thing you want is to be responsible for negatively influencing the way your kids view relationships or to build a wall of resentment between the two of you. Here are some ways you can prioritize your kids’ emotional welfare:

  • One of the most important things you can do is simply be there. Your kids are going to have questions, concerns, and fears throughout this entire process. You want them to feel like they can rely on you for answers and reassurance. Make sure they know they can come to you with anything and that you will be honest with them. Make sure you consistently hold yourself accountable for any mistakes you make along the way.
  • Try to keep your kids away from the conflict you are having with their other parent. The divorce has nothing to do with them, so don’t make them think it does. Don’t insult or badmouth their other parent in front of them. You don’t want to give the other parent ammunition for a parental alienation claim.

    Besides, you want to be the bigger person and avoid such situations. If your spouse wants to play dirty, let them dig a hole for themselves without your help.

  • Focus on what comes next. Building a stronger bond than what you had before may still be possible going forward. Sit your kids down and let them know that things have changed, but that change is a good thing. Address their concerns and pay attention to what they need. Involve yourself in their school activities, help with homework, play with them, and create lasting memories by being there when they truly need you.

FAQs

Q: Which Parent Gets Full Custody in Texas?

A: There is no telling which parent will get full custody. In Texas, mothers and fathers are treated as equal parents with equal responsibility. The court will likely push for joint custody, which ensures each parent is responsible for raising their kids at least half the time. If the court grants primary custody to one parent, it will be the one who is the most financially stable and able to give their child a reliable home.

Q: Which Custody Arrangement Works the Most?

A: There is no way to tell which custody arrangement works the most. Everybody has different needs that have to be addressed in the custody arrangement. While the court tends to favor joint custody, that may not work for the parents, especially if one parent lives farther away from the kids than the other. The court will have to do what’s right for the child, and that may include refusing your custody requests.

Q: How Can Mediation Help in a Divorce?

A: There are many different ways that mediation can be beneficial in a divorce. Above all, you want to make sure you aren’t taken advantage of and that you emerge from your divorce relatively intact when it comes to your finances. Sitting down with a mediator can allow you to address your concerns and negotiate a settlement together with a neutral third party to control the flow of the discussion.

Q: When Should I Consider Dating Again?

A: Everyone moves through grief, trauma, and betrayal at their own pace. If you feel you have moved on enough from your divorce and are ready to start dating again, then you should go for it. Make sure you consider your kids’ needs. You don’t want them to think you are trying to replace their other parent or start a new family without them. As long as you know it won’t hurt anybody, you should start considering dating when you feel the time is right.

Contact a Lawyer

At Stange Law Firm, we can focus on your divorce while you focus on maintaining a strong relationship with your kids. Contact us to speak to a valued team member about how we can help.