Support and Normalizing Emotions
Speaking with a therapist can help you navigate through the bewildering array of emotions you will encounter in this process, whether you are the leaver or the leavee: a sense of loss, great sadness, guilt, powerlessness, fear, anxiety, and anger. Active listening and support from friends, family, and a counsellor can be invaluable as you deal with the legal system, make new social connections, and learn to be a single parent, while trying to rebuild your life.

Children’s Issues
You and your partner need to develop effective tools to help your children get through this most difficult time. Learn how to tell the children you are separating and how not to involve them in the “adult business” of separation such as the financial details and decisions about custody. Be more aware of behaviour that can hurt the children, such as introducing them too soon to a new partner or ‘bad mouthing’ each other in front of them. As well, you may find it helpful to have them speak to a neutral third party about some of their concerns. They may not be able to talk to you because of the fear of hurting your feelings or betraying their loyalty. Watch for signs that the children are having difficulty by noticing any unusual behaviour such as wetting the bed, listlessness, acting out angrily, dropping grades, or excessive moodiness.