As a continuation from part 1 on how to explain your divorce to your child, we interviewed other industry experts for their insider feedback.

Matthew Hoelscher, accredited Marriage Coach in Miami, Florida

“The one thing you never want to say to children when explaining an upcoming divorce is, ‘We fell out of love for each other.’ In a child's mind, if mom and dad can fall out of love for each other, they can fall out of love for me too!”

“Explain the divorce in an age-appropriate way using your titles to clarify the difference. ‘Mom and Dad are getting a divorce. That means we are no longer going to be living together as husband and wife. We will ALWAYS be you Mom and Dad and we both love you very much.’"

“Parents never need to explain or justify a divorce to children. They are not going to approve of it. They will always want mom and dad to be together unless they are already teenagers and are exhausted from hearing you both fight.”

“Your job as parents is to set, clarify, and maintain clear expectations with the child. You need to tell them BEFORE there is a major shift in their routine or living conditions. You do not need to tell them too soon before a decision is made in order to guilt-trip a partner into staying because of a bad fight.”

“Prepare a basic calendar so they can see when they will be with Mom and when they will be with Dad. Talk to them a week or so before you both split the living arrangements. That can be any various points throughout the divorce process.”

Traci Rhône, MSc., LMHC - psychotherapist in Miami, Florida

“Don't tell lies. But don't speak unguarded truth either. Don't argue in front of your children. Don't be too pushy. Don't hinder expression. Don't use your kids for intel. Don't tell or infer that children are a reason the marriage broke down. Plan what you will say. Talk to your children together. Develop a non-blaming narrative. Tell your kids why this is happening. Tell your kids what will change and what will stay the same. Tell your kids which parent will leave the home. Reassurance is the key. Your kids' reactions are completely normal.”

Dr. Carolina Pataky, co-founder of the Love Discovery Institute, Relationship and Intimacy Therapist, with locations based in Miami Beach and Coral Gables, FL

“Divorce happens more frequently than we would hope for, leaving many families confused and hurt along the process, especially the children who are the ones who tend to get hurt the most in the situation. Explaining to your child that the family structure they are used to seeing will dramatically change can be pretty difficult to discuss with them no matter their age.”

“During these sensitive moments in life, children can feel guilt for what's going on as well as anger and sadness, and it is imperative for us as parents to allow them to express their emotions and for us to get them to realize that they are not to blame for the separation...”

“No matter the child's age, you should always speak to them using simple communication and avoid oversharing the extra details they do not need to know. Less is more in this situation; your child does not need to know the details of what led to a divorce.”

Going through a divorce in Florida? Contact the award-winning Law Offices of Lauren Grondski, P.A. for a consultation at (305) 914-5688.