The Behavior of a Kid From a Split Home

Babies

• Even babies notice when the atmosphere around the house has changed. According to the University of Missouri Extension website, if you and your partner have split, your infant is likely to become more irritable, and cry more loudly and more often. Also, your baby might not sleep as soundly as he once did.

Toddlers

• A toddler has an increased understanding of what's happening around him, and is likely to miss your former partner even more than an infant. He might have difficulty adjusting to the change, and is likely to revert to babyhood behaviors, such as thumb-sucking and bedwetting. He might also be angry with the absent parent, you, the custodial one -- or possibly both.

Preschoolers/Elementary Schoolers

• The behavior of preschoolers and school-age children also undergo a change. According to AskDrSears.com, a preschooler might become more clingy toward you as the custodial parent because he is afraid you might leave too. If your child is school-age, however, he has a better understanding of the what the split means. He is also likely to fault himself for the breakup. He might begin to think, for instance, that he could have avoided it by behaving better. In school, his grades might falter and he also might resort to friendships with peers who have a negative influence on him.

Pre-Teens/Adolescents

• A preteen might withdraw from activities he once cherished. For example, he might lose interest in football or basketball, sports he once played vigorously before the split. He might turn to bad behaviors such as swearing, physical violence or rebellion against you. The Missouri Extension website also suggests that he might worry about adult issues such as money and, once in high school, he might want a job.

What You Can Do

• The aid you should give your child varies with age. If he's a baby, you can comfort him by showing him considerable physical affection and keeping stuffed animals and blankets around. If he's a toddler, you can reassure him that just because your partner no longer lives with him, he still loves him, and that you are not leaving. If the breakup happens during the preschool or elementary school years, assure your child that it's not his fault. Preteens and high-schoolers need to know that there's no need to worry about finances, and that you're able to handle that. In addition, get your child into counseling if it becomes apparent that you can't do it alone.