When young parents decide to divorce, their greatest concern is generally for their children. However, older couples whose children are grown do not always think about how their divorce will affect their children.
If you are going through a divorce as the parent of adult children, it is important to understand that divorce affects adult children as well.
Financial concerns
Child support is no longer an issue now that your children are grown, but that does not mean that your kids will not have financial concerns.
If you have been paying college tuition or providing other forms of financial assistance, your child may worry about his or her own financial stability. You may need to undergo mediation with your spouse to determine if and how you can continue providing support.
Emotional concerns
Even if you do not state it outright, your grown children may infer that you stayed in an unhappy marriage for their sake when they were young. This can lead to feelings of guilt. Even if you did stay together for them, it is important to avoid making your children feel responsible for your choices.
If your children have viewed you and your spouse as a model couple throughout their lives, your divorce may lead them to question their own relationships. Family therapy can help you and your children work through some of these emotions.
When going through a divorce, parents of adult children do not face the same challenges as parents of young children, but they still face challenges. As a parent, it is important to be aware of the concerns your grown children may have during your divorce.
