Annie (AKA Hey Terra!) has been around long enough to have experienced a lot of what Life can dish out. But, it hasn’t been so long that she's forgotten what it's like to be your age. Check out some of the thousands of email questions teens from around the world have sent to Terra. You may learn something useful from her answers:
Divorce:
“I'm upset because my parents are getting a divorce.”
Hey Terra,
My parents had a horrible argument and I'm kinda upset because they're getting a divorce. But see I love my dad but I really don't wanna be around him or talk to him!Wanting Peace
Dear Wanting Peace,
I'm really sorry that your parents are going through a hard time and that you have to witness all of this negative energy. It's totally understandable that you'd be upset about what's going on in your home.
It sounds like you are closer to your mom at this point. If that's true, then I strongly suggest that you have a private talk with her. Tell her calmly and maturely how much it upsets you to hear them arguing. Tell her that you understand that she's feeling really emotional about the divorce, but if she and your dad could please remember that you are hearing all of this and that it's very stressful for you to be in the middle of it.
Hopefully, she will listen to what you are saying and talk to your dad about how they can deal with their own issues without doing it in front of you.
Also, check out this section of my website. It's about helping teens deal with their parents' divorce.
And if you need to talk to someone, I'd suggest you stop in and see your school counselor. (You have a counselor at school, don't you?) Or a caring adult in your extended family (a grandparent, aunt or uncle, etc.).
I hope this helps.
In friendship,
Terra
Need some advice? Write to Terra.
She'll give you a straight answer you can trust without any lectures.
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