When couples without children divorce, they cannot wait to start their new lives without each other. They want their new lives without their soon-to-be ex-spouse. And, divorcing parents have this same thought. They want that new home, separate from their soon-to-be ex-spouse. However, the challenge is making both of these new homes feel like home for the children because often, children that shuttle between two Gulfport, Mississippi, homes can feel transient.
Morning the loss of the family home and family
First, understand that your children will mourn the loss of both the old family unit and the family home, even after the divorce is finalized. Understanding this now can help you better prepare for how that will affect your child’s actions later. In addition, to help your children deal with these complicated emotions, it is often a good idea to get your child into family therapy. Sometimes, they recommend including the parents, but other times, the mental health professionals do not.
The feeling of home starts with selecting the home
Getting your child to feel at home in your new Gulfport, Mississippi, home begins by including them upfront in the selecting process. Make them feel like they helped pick it. Then, make them feel like they helped decorate it and made it feel like home. You want them to have buy in, and that is done by giving them a say on it.
Give them space
Do not forget to give them space too. This is not just physical or metaphorical space, but actual space. Give them their own room, corner or some other space that they can claim as their own. They can use it how they want, decorate it, etc.
Stocking the home to avoid transience
Finally, be sure that when you stock your home that you do not just stock it with your child’s basic essentials. Of course, they will need a bed, a desk, toothbrushes, etc. Bring fun. Think about what you can add to make your child feel at home, both on the walls, on the sheets, rugs and other fun items (board games, toys, etc.). Your new Gulfport, Mississippi, can feel like the new family home, but it starts now, before the divorce.