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The family unit is a significant part of children's life and is the most primary source of their sense of security and stability. When parents get a divorce, it shakes up their sense of permanentness. A divorce isn't something only married couples go through; children deal with the consequences of it as well. Talking to your teens about divorce will help them cope with the situation. They need it as much as you do. The idea is to be as honest and open to them as possible while also protecting them.

Here are a few tips on how to talk to your teen about divorce:

• Tell your teen about why people get divorced. Explain that sometimes people can't live together anymore even if they want the marriage to work.
• As much as is appropriately possible (depending on your children's ages), tell them about the reasons for the divorce.
• Set their expectations about when the separation will take place.
• Tell your children where the parent who will leave will temporarily live.
• set their expectations about whether they'll be moving to a new house, a new school, etc. The adjustment will go a lot easier if there are less changes made on your teen's routine as possible. Informing them ahead of time of the kind of changes they can expect can help them prepare for the changes emotionally and mentally.
• Assure them that you love them, no matter kind of issues you and your soon-to-be ex spouse are having.
• Assure your children that the divorce is not their fault.
• Inform your teen that a judge may talk to him/her in order to help decide which parent he/she will stay with.
• Explain why sometimes, getting a divorce isn't always a bad idea. Assure your teen that you didn't file for a divorce over small things. Explain that divorce is something married people usually turn to as a last resort when other attempts at saving the marriage didn't work.

It's also very important that you and your spouse talk about how you will break the news to your children. It's best to agree not to fight while talking with them. It's never good to paint your spouse as the "bad parent" as this often eventually backfires, one way or another.

How you handle situations during and after the divorce will make an impact on your teen in many ways. If you encounter difficulties helping your teen cope with the situation, it's a good idea to seek the help of your family doctor or a therapist. Some teens adjust poorly to their parents' divorce, some do relatively well. Keeping an eye out on warning signs of depression is essential during these times.

Give your teen plenty of opportunities to approach you. Have dinner with him/her as much as possible and verbally express that you will always be there for him/her throughout this difficult time.