When the parents say "We are getting divorced"

by Gergana Dobreva, 17 years old

This can happen even in the best families. And if it does happen both parties should have very well thought and talked it over before finally taking a decision.
Most of my friends come from divorced families. They are both girls and boys and
each of them feels and perceives it in a different way. Some of them are hurt and feel happier living with their relatives or with only one of their parents now; others are confused and even ashamed of not living with both their parents like the other children.
Precisely this moment is very confusing and it can thoroughly change one child's life. But do these children have to feel like that? In my opinion it doesn't have to be this
way because the fact that your parents are divorced doesn't mean you are different, smarter or more stupid, it is just not your fault.
So, if the moment of separation does happen it would be better to talk it over and decide which would be the best thing to do, for the parents and for the children alike, and only then to take decisions. If, despite all the efforts of the parents to keep their marriage it is still falling apart, then it would be better if they split up. Being in the position of the parents is just as hard as being in the position of the children. After the decision is taken, "the family" should decide who would take care of the child and to explain the separation is not the child's fault. The child should try and understand and should not alienate from its parents and its friends as well. The moment of separation is equally hard and difficult both for the parents and for the children. Yet, if they try hard to understand each other's point of view, everything will be easier after the divorce. Thus, no one would hurt the other and the child won't feel unwanted and lonely.