While divorce is hard everyone involved, it can be particularly upsetting for children, and significantly change their life. But there are ways to help children cope and, in this article, we’re going to look at how arts and crafts can help.
Children can often become deeply affected by the divorce of their parents. Depending on their age, it can be a challenging process for them to understand and come to terms with. But as with parents that seek family law advice, there are some coping methods for kids that can help, such as exercise and arts and crafts.
Even in schools, children are encouraged to participate in arts and crafts because of the benefits it has on their development throughout childhood. Getting creative together can help children build relationships, explore new sensations, and practise their motor skills. This is also true for children at home; arts and crafts not only benefit a child’s development but also act as a coping mechanism and distraction away from stressful situations.
In this article, we’ll discuss how arts and crafts can help children whose parents are going through a divorce and prove why it’s such a great form of therapy. Let’s begin…
Art Helps Children to Communicate Their Emotions
Children sometimes struggle to show or control their emotions when facing life changes, but arts and crafts can be used as a way for them to express how they’re feeling.
For instance, children have vivid imaginations, often imagining themselves as fictional characters, such as a princess or a spaceman. But when experiencing hardship and change, children might start to imagine more realistic scenarios. A child might paint or draw a picture of what they want such as their daddy, mummy and siblings holding hands together.
As parents, it can help you understand how your child is feeling about your divorce as they are visually communicating their emotions. Their art might show that they are sad, angry, confused, or all three. It could also suggest that they don’t want change, providing you with the perfect opportunity to ask questions and try to discuss their feelings. Some children won’t want to talk about the divorce, but if you ask them to describe their art, they might feel more inclined to chat.
Art Helps to Keep a Child’s Mind Distracted
Divorce is a lot to take in, especially for young children who don’t quite understand what the term means. Children can find the experience incredibly upsetting, particularly when you explain to them that mummy and daddy won’t be living in the family home anymore. This could come as a shock to them and cause a lot of unhappy emotions.
By encouraging them to participate in arts and crafts, either by themselves or with another person, you’ll be helping them to focus their minds on to something else. If your child is struggling to get into arts and crafts, you could think of a scenario, or an object that you would like them to draw for you. Try to think of things that will make them happy, such as drawing of a unicorn or a dinosaur; something that will distract them from unwanted changes happening in their life.
Ultimately, arts and crafts not only acts a form of escapism for children, but it can feel like a safe space, a place that isn’t controlled by thoughts of their parent’s divorce.
Art Helps Children to Develop Their Problem-Solving Skills
If you and your ex-partner have decided to put your problems aside and focus on your child’s wellbeing, you’ll likely have let them decide on who they want to live with. This could initially be a difficult decision for them, as it’s likely they want to live with both of you.
Arts and crafts can help them to create the skills needed to solve problems and could make the decision easier for them. Problems such as deciding on colours or issues with craft creations will put them in good stead for making harder life decisions later down the line. Children have marvellous brains and will always come up with a unique solution to fix their problem, even if it means changing the dynamics of their original plan.
Like with their arts and crafts problems, your child will eventually devise a plan that solves their family concerns, such as working out which days to spend with which parent. They’ll likely be cheeky and even try to add a sleepover day with a friend once a week. Children bounce back quickly, and arts and crafts will help to develop their skills.
Art Helps Children to Socialise with Their Peers
Try to find out if your local community centre offers arts and crafts sessions for children a couple of times a week. It could be worth pursuing group sessions as well as the time spent on arts and crafts individually at home. Group sessions would enable your child to create art in a group and socialise with other children close to their age, who possibly might be experiencing similar circumstances to them.
Is Art a Good Form of Therapy for Children of Divorced Parents?
Even if your divorce is tough for you, your child will need your support. Try to maintain a normal way of life and inspire them to continue pursuing their individual interests by showing them it’s ok to do things alone. Encourage them to try new things, as not only will it help support them through this challenging time, but it is a great way to develop their skills for the future.
Luciana joined our team as a mum blogger in 2020. A dedicated mum to a lively daughter and a dog, Luna, Luciana brings authenticity and passion to every post. Her expertise in parenting and lifestyle topics offers practical, relatable advice for real-life situations.