Six Strategies for Creating a Happy Home Again
Many families have been touched by separation or divorce at some point in their history. Going from all living in one home to being separated into two homes is a devastating experience for any family to have to go through, but it is possible to get through this transition and find happiness again. Here are six strategies for creating a happy home again after divorce. Accept that there will be difficult moments. You, your co-parent, and your children have just gone through a life-changing experience. Don't expect everyone to bounce back right away and be happy for a while. Even long after you have moved into separate homes, you may still encounter emotionally difficult times. It's healthy to grieve this loss, yet at some point, you must move forward. When you or your children are having a rough day, have strategies to help get through it and find happiness again. Maintaining a sense of peace and calm in your home will help to promote a more relaxed and happy atmosphere.
Don't try to recreate your old home. The truth is that your home life will never be quite the same again. You won't feel the same about living in a space that reminds you of the past, especially if thinking about the past makes you feel sad or upset. Try redecorating your home in such a way that gives it a fresh, happy feel. You don't have to throw away your old stuff; even just moving some things into different rooms can transform a space. This will help you to give your home a new feel without spending lots of money on new items. Also, let your children decorate their own bedrooms. Whether you've moved to a new home or are staying where you've been living, allow your children create a space that they are happy to call their own. If your kids share a bedroom, encourage them to decorate the area closest to their own beds. Perhaps each child gets to decorate one wall each and can fill it with their chosen pictures and drawings.
Build a routine. Having a regular agenda will have a big influence in your efforts to create a happy home again, particularly for your kids. Children thrive when they are on a disciplined routine, and they'll be better able to work on attaining their own happiness when they know what to expect out of each day. Set regular times for meals, homework, sleep, chores, and play. Be sure to schedule family fun times where you and your kids can do things like see a movie, read together, play games, and do other things that you enjoy doing together.
Give your kids one-on-one time. If you have more than one child, it is important that they feel important and loved by each of their parents. Spend time with your kids each on their own on a regular basis, even if you share parenting time. It doesn't necessarily have to be anything that takes too long. You might ask one of your children to run an errand with you or even to help with a chore. Whatever it is, asking one child to specifically help you or do something with just you will help them to feel appreciated. During this one-on-one time, don't forget to tell your child how much you love and appreciate them.
Embrace change. You've just gone through a life-changing experience, whether it was something you wanted or not. Everything will be different now, so you should accept it and be willing to welcome that change as best you can. You can be happy again, even if you can't imagine what happiness now looks like. It'll help to get out and do things you enjoy plus try new things. It'll help to meet and talk to new people, especially those going through what you are. The more you allow yourself to enjoy your life today, the more happiness you'll come to find down the road.
Protect your family from conflict. A divorce can bring about much disputing between parents, even after it's all supposedly been settled. If you have children together, you and your former spouse or partner need to find a way to co-parent while allowing each other and your kids the opportunity to be happy. If sharing parenting responsibilities, find a way to communicate and share information without conflict. Co-parent communication tools on the web can be a big help in this situation. When you can communicate with your co-parent without the same amount of anxiety that you may have once felt, you are on the right path towards attaining happiness.
The truth is that it will be hard to picture what your happy home will look like at the onset of a divorce. You may feel like you just won't be able to get there, but though dedication and focus, you can get there. You can create a happy home again after divorce. These strategies can help get you there, but if you feel like you're struggling, don't hesitate to get the help you think you need from a trained professional.