When a marriage ends, it’s not just the couple who feels the impact. Children do too. As the holidays approach, this reality can feel especially heavy.

Your child might be spending the holidays between two homes this year. There might be some tension or even new partners. No matter the situation, one thing is for sure: you're trying to make the season feel steady, warm, and full of love. No matter what your family looks like right now, your child’s heart is at the center of it, and the way you support them matters.

Here are 10 practical ways to help your child navigate divorce, new family dynamics, and the holiday season with care.

1. Acknowledge Their Loss

Divorce is a loss for children, too. Even if the separation was the right choice for the adults, it still changes the only family structure they’ve known. Let them express their feelings without rushing to fix or downplay them.

2. Create a Safe Space for Honest Conversations

Kids may not have the words to express everything they’re feeling. Remind them it’s OK to share when they are ready. Show them by example that it's OK to be sad.

3. Keep the Focus on Stability

Consistency builds safety. Even when plans shift between households, keeping certain routines or traditions can give them something solid to hold on to.

4. Don’t Make Them Choose Sides

No child should feel caught in the middle. Speak respectfully about the other parent and do your best to shield your child from adult conflicts.

5. Recognize That Holidays Can Bring Up Big Feelings

Even happy moments can be complicated. Your child might feel excited one minute and sad the next. Let them know it’s OK to feel a variety of emotions and that their feelings are normal.

6. Adjust Traditions if Needed

Some traditions are worth continuing, while others may need to be changed. Blending what’s familiar with something new can help your child feel secure while also giving them something to look forward to.

7. Be Honest in a Way They Can Understand

Kids usually pick up on more than we think. Talking openly in a way that fits their age builds trust and lets them know they don’t have to carry their feelings alone.

8. Encourage Healthy Expression

Not every child is going to talk about how they feel, and that’s OK. Some might draw, play music, move their bodies, or open up to someone they trust. Please give them the room to let their feelings out in whatever way works best for them.

9. Get Support When You Need It

You don’t have to handle this on your own. Grief Recovery Method Specialists can work directly with children under 18 or guide parents and caregivers through When Children Grieve to help kids navigate loss with real support.

10. Remember That Healing Is a Process

You can’t shield your child from every pain, but you can give them tools and space to grow through it. Healing happens where emotions are welcomed and acknowledged.

Divorce is devastating, and it does change the shape of your family. By staying intentional, honest, and compassionate, you can help your child move through the holidays feeling seen, heard, and supported.

If your child, or your family, needs extra support, visit the Helping Children With Loss Directory to connect with a Grief Recovery Method Specialist trained to work with children and families or get a copy of When Children Grieve. No one should have to walk through this alone.