Just Ask

03 November 2009, 16:40

Children often place the blame of their parents’ divorce on their shoulders and this emotional trauma can impact their performance at school.

“Divorce is one of the most stressful experiences you can have as a child,” Dr Alex Yellowlees, the Medical Director of the Priory Hospital in Glasgow said.

“Educationally, it is going to impact greatly on a child because they really need that kind of level of support from parents to maintain a stable environment from which they can go to school – clearly that can impact education to a significant degree.”

Additional Support Learning, ASL, a new initiative launched on November 2, aims to ensure everyone has the same access to learning no matter what their personal circumstances.

“ASL is a fantastic new initiative from the Government to give extra support to any child that needs it for any reason,” Dr Yellowlees said.

“It will provide extra support across a whole range of different styles and intervention if you feel that your child is not reaching their full potential at school.”

Dr Yellowlees is encouraged by this new scheme but also believes a stable environment at home will give children the inner confidence needed to stay calm at difficult times.

“Firstly, create an environment at home and in the world that they live in that makes sense to them, is consistent and predictable, preferably by having joint care.”

“Secondly, give them a meaningful explanation as to why their parents are getting divorced that is age appropriate to them,” he continued.

Acting as a role model can also help your child through a divorce. If they see you building up your own confidence and modelling some healing behaviour, then this will help them follow suit.

“The parent themselves need to be working on their own coping skills, getting their needs met, not just tying them to the children completely.

“Discussion with children is so important.”

For more information on the new ASL campaign, visit http://campaigns.stv.tv/just-ask/

 

Last updated: 12 November 2009, 12:45