Children may experience changes in behavior in the year following a divorce. It can be easy to overlook childrens sadness when parents are struggling to manage their own difficult emotions. Babies and toddlers dont have the words to express their feelings. They may show their distress and confusion in other ways.
Does divorce damage infants and toddlers?
Since divorce often disrupts the flow of nurturing support, it can make it difficult for children to effectively master their developmental challenges in emotional growth and development.
Do babies remember parents fighting?
Experimental research confirms that babies can sense when their mothers are distressed, and the stress is contagious. Experiments also show that 6-month old infants become more physiologically reactive to stressful situations after looking at angry faces (Moore 2009).
Will a 2 year old remember parents fighting?
“Toddlers are probably even more aware when their parents are fighting than older children because toddlers havent built up any defenses to conflict yet,” she says. “They can feel the emotional energy between their parents and are extremely sensitive to it.
Do babies remember if you yell at them?
New research finds babies wont easily forget seeing anger-prone behavior in adults, even if that behavior is directed at someone else. A new body of research will make you think twice the next time you go to yell at your hubby in front of your baby.