Even when it is in the best interests of your family, divorce is a difficult topic for most kids. Concerns about family life are normal, in this case, and it is up to you to assuage your child's fears.  According to HealthyChildren.org, the way you break the news to your kids can have a huge impact on their feelings toward the matter. Here are a few methods you can use to talk to your children about divorce. 

Emphasize Safety and Security

While you should always communicate openly and honestly to kids, make sure they know are still safe and secure. Many children wrongfully assume that divorce means they did something wrong, which is extremely distressing. Instead, explains that their relationships with each parent will not change and that they will continue to receive the same amount of love and affection from their parents. 

Use Clear, Simple Language

This is especially important with younger children. You do not need to go into unnecessary details about your split, but you must provide clear information on what it means going forward. For example, if your spouse is leaving the family home, kids should know that as soon as possible. Gauge each child's maturity level to decide how to break the news. 

Child Protective Services are words no parent wants to hear. The tumultuous feeling of having your child forcibly taken from you is one you never thought you would have.

Has a CPS worker contacted you about a complaint the department received about the alleged neglect or abuse of your child? Can they take away your child? Here are some facts about Child Protective Services.

1. What do they investigate?

CPS protects the rights of the child by investigating reports of child abuse or neglect. The state requires CPS to investigate all allegations it receives, whether those claims are true or false. Neglect is failing to provide the child such things as:

After a divorce, you may experience hostility from your ex. In some cases, your former spouse may try to use your children against you. They may try to alienate you from your children.

According to Healthline, the term parental alienation syndrome became known in 1985. While not an official syndrome, it does refer to the mental health effects that children may suffer from because of one parents' actions.

How do children react to parental alienation?

If you fear your ex wants to alienate you, there are warning signs to look out for. One of the first signs is that your children will criticize you unfairly. They may not have strong evidence or justifications for the criticism but will not recognize that fact. Parental alienation causes children to lack ambivalence. They will not feel guilty or unsure about their feelings.

Perhaps you feel more than a little anxiety, worry and fear concerning your divorce, especially regarding child support. Do you know what issues to raise with your soon-to-be-former-partner?

Forbes offers a few child support considerations to remember. Learn how to frame the conversation around a vital aspect of your split.

Child support no longer affects taxes

In 2017, the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act changed how child support alters your tax bill. Now, the parent receiving child support does not pay taxes on that financial support, and the parent paying child support no longer deducts those payments on taxes. Still, if you and the other parent decide on split-custody, only one of you may claim your shared child as a dependent.