Many caring parents I speak to admit to feeling tremendous guilt during and after their divorce. It’s easy to understand why. Parents who are aware of the emotional toll a separation or divorce can take on their children feel torn about whether they made the right decision.
Are they being selfish in moving ahead with the divorce? Will this experience psychologically scar their children for life? Will the kids ever forgive them – or their other parent – for initiating the divorce? Are they making the right decisions regarding co-parenting, visitation, communication and discussing all related issues with the kids?
These are valid questions to ask yourself. The answers should be seriously considered before making any move in the direction of divorce. However, divorce is never a black and white issue. Changing the form of a family unit doesn’t necessarily mean destroying the family. Or the love between parents and children. It all depends upon how you handle the challenges. Sometimes divorce is the wisest decision. Often it’s the best direction to move in to provide stability and peace of mind. Especially for a family experiencing devastating emotional turmoil.
Guilt can keep you stuck in regret!
Guilt in itself can be a very destructive emotion. It’s based on focusing your attention on the past. When you bring a magnifying glass to your past you’re inevitably going to find many decisions, behaviors and actions to regret. Guilt is about getting stuck in those regrets. It can consume your thoughts, your days and your activities. It can also fill you with shame, remorse and self-flagellation.
Don’t be a victim of your own guilt. Take action instead! Maybe you behaved in ways you regret. Said things you wish you hadn’t. Or didn’t do what you now know you should have. It’s time to determine how you can make amends.
Can you sincerely apologize to the parties you hurt? Or perhaps write a note? Can you begin taking a new direction in your life based on wiser decisions?
Would you be able to teach or share lessons you learned with others? This is often a valuable way to take the sting out of life lessons. So your pain is not in vane. Many divorce coaches and family therapists have stories to tell of their own misguided decisions. Most are eager to share their personal insights with clients.
Let go of the past!
Start by moving your attention into the present, rather than the past. You’ll usually feel relief and a sense of power over your life once again. You’re taking steps to right a wrong or make a challenging situation more tolerable. You’re changing the course of your life and hopefully the lives of others involved – moving it in a better direction for everyone in the family.
Most important of all, you are more likely to come to the place of forgiving yourself and letting go. You’ve attempted to make amends. You’ve acknowledged your errors and taken a wiser course of action. You’ve learned valuable lessons you can share with others. You’re taking responsibility for your behaviors, not lingering in a pity party over past deeds.
These are ways you can start projecting your thoughts into the present – not the future. From here you can begin living a life that is more rewarding, peaceful and satisfying – despite or as a result of – your divorce!
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Rosalind Sedacca, CDC is a Divorce & Parenting Coach and Founder of the Child-Centered Divorce Network. She is the author of How Do I Tell the Kids About the Divorce? A Create-a-Storybook Guide to Preparing Your Children – With Love! To get her free ebook on Post-Divorce Parenting, and learn about her coaching services, programs and other valuable resources on divorce and parenting issues, visit https://www.childcentereddivorce.com.