Hey Olivia, We Told the Kids About the Divorce — Now the Questions Won't Stop. What Do I Say?

About this episode

Olivia Howell provides guidance on how to answer children's questions about divorce while managing one's own emotions.

How do you answer your kids' questions about divorce when you're barely holding yourself together? In this solo "Hey Olivia" episode of Divorce Happens, Olivia Howell answers a letter from a parent whose kids seemed "fine" when they first heard about the divorce — and are now flooding her with questions. Where will I sleep? Will I still see my friends? Do you still love each other? Is it my fault? If you've already told your kids about the divorce and the questions won't stop, this episode is the steadying guide you've been looking for. Olivia explains why that "fine in the moment" reaction is textbook child psychology, why the wave of questions is actually a sign of trust, and the three things your kids truly need to hear — repeated as often as they need them. She shares a skill that changes how these conversations feel: listening for the question underneath the question, and answering the fear instead of the surface. And she talks honestly about you — how to stay emotionally present for your children while you're grieving too, without having to be perfect or have a script ready for every hard moment. IN THIS EPISODE: Why kids often seem "too okay" at first — and why the…

People in this episode

Host: Olivia Howell

Topics covered

• divorce
• parenting
• child psychology
• communication
• emotional support

Keywords

• divorce
• children's questions
• emotional presence
• trust
• communication skills

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