When kids get sick, parents typically take their children to the paediatrician’s office. The role of a paediatrician, however, goes beyond administering medical care. One report revealed that paediatricians could be instrumental to helping parents understand their children, thereby helping the young one cope with the changes in his or her life.

1. Adjustment Period:
A Report on How
Paediatricians Can Help
Divorced Parents
Connolly Suthers
AMP Building, 416 Flinders Street, Townsville, QLD 4810
07 4771 5664

2. When kids get sick, parents typically take their children to the paediatrician’s office.
The role of a paediatrician, however, goes beyond administering medical care. One
report revealed that paediatricians could be instrumental to helping parents
understand their children, thereby helping the young one cope with the changes in his
or her life.
Paediatricians Help Parents Understand their Child
Dr Carol Weitzman, the co-lead author of the report, states that a paediatrician can
help parents understand the reactions of their children to the separation or divorce.
These reactions can vary based on the child’s age.
Furthermore, it’s important for paediatricians to establish neutral relationships with
both parents. All conversations and decisions should focus on the best interests of the
child. Weitzman added that parents are encouraged to reply to their children’s
questions honestly and let them convey their feelings.

3. If the emotional repercussions of the separation start to impact the child’s friendships
or academic performance, the paediatrician can suggest developmentally-appropriate
ways for parents to speak with their children about the split. Moreover, the
paediatrician can refer families to child-oriented professionals if there is any need for
further support.
Helping Youngsters Adjust to Changes
The report says that a child’s behaviour changes in the first year of parent separation.
While most divorce problems are resolved within two to three years, a child may still
struggle with a sense of loss as they grow.
The ability to healthily adjust to life post-divorce depends on several factors, such the
child-parent relationships before and after the separation, the parents’ ability to focus
on the kids’ needs and the child’s temperament. Thus, parents who are dealing with
the aftermath of a split should do their best to maintain their children’s routines, such
as school, responsibilities, contact with family and friends, discipline and
extracurricular activities, as much as possible.

4. If parents cannot avoid an abrupt change of environment, such as moving to a new
house or school, Family Relationships Online says that parents should allot extra time
for the children to be together. Kids, after all, need stability in the face of so many
changes to cope well.
The authors of the report hope that parents will continue to love and care for their
children even after a split. If one parent cannot provide adequate reassurance and
support, paediatricians can become a source of guidance for the other parent.
Sources:
https://www.connollysuthers.com.au/
http://www.familyrelationships.gov.au/BrochuresandPublications/Pages/ChildrenAndSe
parationBooklet.aspx
http://pediatrics.aappublications.org/content/138/6/e20163020
https://medicalxpress.com/news/2016-11-pediatricians-parents-divorce.html