Conflict is something everyone has to deal with sometime.Parents invariably have some conflict in their lives whether they are married, separated, or divorced.Often when families are dealing with divorce there is a heightened level of parental conflict.For children, having to deal with parental conflict is a terrible burden to bear.The actions of parents during this difficult time can affect all aspects of a child’s youth and have lingering effects well into adulthood.It is important for parents to be aware of this so they can make good choices and ensure their children learn appropriate ways to manage conflict.The Orlando counselors and life coaches at Life Skills Resource Group are available to help families make good choices in managing conflict in a healthy manner.

According to The Center for Divorce & Remarriage “on going conflict between parents is a constant reminder that the right to be loved and cared for by both parents has been seriously compromised. The more intense, pervasive, and open the hostility, the more damaging to children. [Children] continue to hold the hope that their parents will stop fighting and work things out, much like [the] advice adults give children when a disagreement between playmates occurs”.

Children who come from homes with high levels of parental conflict are at risk for a wide rage of emotional and behavioral problems.Some children act out by exhibiting new behaviors such as delinquency, increased anger and aggression, decreased ability to control anger and outbursts, and spending time with other children who are making poor choices.Other children turn inward and may show signs of depression, become isolated from friends and family members, begin using drugs, develop poor eating habits, or express physical symptoms such as stomachaches and headaches.Children can also have difficulty interacting with others during this stressful time in their lives.Low self-esteem, poor social skills, and the inability to form healthy, lasting relationships in childhood and adulthood can be affected if children do not learn how to interact socially with others.Finally children can have trouble with their cognitive skills such as truancy, poor grades, impaired thinking, inattention, hyperactivity, and not turning in assignments due to being distracted with the problems that are taking place at home.

Therefore, it is important for parents to be aware of how their actions affect the daily lives of their children and to ensure that any conflict they are experiencing is not harming the children. If you have seen changes in your child or in your relationship, a counselor can help you work through these changes in a supportive, objective, and confidential environment. The counselors and life coaches at  Orlando Life Skills Resource Group want you to know we are able to help during these difficult times. Please read about OUR TEAM here at Life Skills Resource Group in Orlando and find out how we can help you on your journey. AMY

Phone consultations are always FREE.

To read more about Amy Smith’s work at LSRG