Social Story - When My Parents Separate or Divorce

This Social Story: When My Parents Separate or Divorce, was created to help and support children who are living through a family break up, in particular, parents who are experiencing a separation or divorce. Parental separation has a significant impact on our children and students, and is a form of loss and trauma that needs careful attention and intervention.

This social story guides the child/reader through the following:

a. What constitutes a family

b. Explaining that families sometimes have difficult times

c. Parents sometimes argue too much and no longer get along

d. Parents decided it may be best to live apart to prevent further stress on family

e. Reinforces that the child is never to blame - it is never the child’s fault

f. Reinforces that this is an adult decision

g. Explains that even though parents separate, they often still get along and work together for the sake of the children, and still love their children very much

h. Provides examples of various emotions the child may be feeling

i. Provides examples of the various reactions the child may be experiencing

j. Validates these feeling and reactions

k. Walks through ways to feel supported, such as talking to trusted adult, counselor and expressing feelings through writing, drawing, art and music

l. Makes note of possibility of parents meeting different partners, and possibly introducing new members to the family (e.g., stepsiblings, etc.) but that these new connections can be fun and interesting

m. Finally, the story normalizes the experience of going through this separation and loss, and emphasizes that things will be okay!

What You Will Receive:

The social story is 15 pages, in PDF (8.5 x 11) format, and so can be easily printed and laminated. It uses engaging visuals and simple language that is appropriate for all developmental levels and ages.

How To Print:
a. Following Purchase, Download File to your Device
b. Open PDF file and save and/or print
c. You may use home printer, online service, or local printshop.

Please leave your review and feedback, so we may continue to provide practical resources to our fellow educators. Thank you