Authors of Dinosaur Divorce
Laurene Krasny Brown was born in New York City, NY. She has authored and illustrated sixteen children’s books. She has a background in education, the arts, and children’s cognitive development and is in the fine art’s career. While her husband, Marc Brown is an American author and illustrator of children’s books. He is best known for writing and illustrating the Arthur book series. The book Dinosaurs Divorce by Laurene Krasny Brown and Marc Brown was written to be a resource for children whose parents had or will experience a divorce.
About the Book
Dinosaurs Divorce helps children understand why parents divorce and what they can expect in the aftermath. This way they won’t be so anxious or surprised throughout the process of a divorce. In the book they also talk about what happens after the divorce, such as having two different homes. One with mom and the other with dad. It explains that sometimes mom, dad or both may find another person they love, so they’ll move in together. Most importantly this book reminds children that a divorce is not their fault and that regardless of the situation, their mom and dad will always love them. In addition, it helps children understand that they may live with one parent while going to the other parent’s home during the weekend, all while highlighting it will all be okay at the end of the day ( Brown & Brown, 2009).
Relation to Today’s World
Experiencing your parents getting a divorce can be hard on anyone, especially children. Children tend to blame themselves for something they don’t have control over. They may think that because they are “bad” kids, their parents are getting a divorce. Children are still developing, which means that they are learning how to describe their emotions and thoughts. Sometimes it can be challenging for a child to show their emotions or even talk about them, so their only way is to behave in an unusual way, such as having tantrums or being aggressive towards others or self.
Many studies have shown that there are short and long term negative effects of parental marital conflict and divorce for the child. Some of the problems that can be seen include poor academic performance, loss of interest in social activities, anger, feelings of guilt, difficulty adapting to change, and destructive behavior. When a child experiences their parent’s conflict, they may develop destructive behavior. In addition, the child can have a poor relationship with his or her parents that can last into young adulthood. It has also been reported that children can have low affective and emotional support in relationships with their father. However, there are some positive outcomes when there is a collaborative divorce. Young adults from divorced families tend to be more independent and have better relationships with both parents ( Riggio, 2004).
Signs of needing help
It is important for parents to be on the lookout for signs of distress in their child or children. Some children may react aggressively and uncooperative, while others may feel deep sadness and start lacking academically. It is also important for parents to sit down and have a deep conversation with the child or children and help them understand the divorce is not their fault as well as helping them identify their emotions.
Tips to Reduce the Psychological Toll of Divorce on Children
Parents can:
- Maintain a healthy relationship with their child or children
- Help their child or children feel safe and secure
- Don’t put the child or children in the middle
- Use consistent discipline
- Monitor adolescence closely
- Teach specific coping skills
- Co-parent peacefully
If you or anyone you know may be struggling with helping a child understand a divorce and live in the Chicagoland area, feel free to call Olive Branch Counseling Associates at (708) 633-8000 and talk to someone.
Yadira
Intern, Olive Branch Counseling Associates, Inc.
Brown, L. K., & Brown, M. (2009). Dinosaurs divorce: A guide to changing families. New York: Little, Brown & Company.
Riggio, H. R. (2004). Parental marital conflict and divorce, parent-child relationships, social support, and relationship anxiety in young adulthood. Personal Relationships, 11(1), 99–114. https://doi-org.libproxy.trnty.edu/10.1111/j.1475-6811.2004.00073.x
CounselingMatters.live 
Leave a Reply