Divorce

Jen, 14 1/2, hears her parents fighting again about her father's affairs. She can't understand why her mother lets herself be bought off by his presents. She can't understand why her mother doesn't just throw him out once and for all. Well, they're at it again. I wonder how it will end this time. Maybe if I turn up the sound real loud I'll drown them out. I think the part I hate most is the cursing.

Have you seen Dad's Cheating on Mom Again: A Monologue yet? By Ruby Wolbromsky, Ph.D. What do you think Jen is going through? You can almost hear her wondering: * "What kind of husband is my father?" * "Is my mother a total jerk or what?" * "Are my parents going to split?" * "If they do, what happens to me?" * " What are my friends going to think?" * "Are all boys unfaithful like my Dad?" * "If Dad is seeing other women, how come he and Mom are huggy and mushy?" * "Why does Dad continue to cheat on Mom? * "What does that say about their relationship?" * "What, if anything, should I do about this?" And in addition to having all these complex thoughts and questions, Jen is also feeling sad about the whole situation and is very angry at both her parents.

Ed and Caroline are in the process of getting divorced. Tanya, their 13-year- old daughter, is discussing her feelings about Ed's new girlfriend, Laurie. Ed met Laurie when the car she was driving skidded and crashed into Ed and Caroline's front hedge. Laurie is a divorced mother of a three-year-old and a five-year-old.

It's true. More than half of all marriages end in divorce. Probably half the kids in your class have only a mom at home. But knowing that didn't make it any easier when your dad walked out. It's not fair. Your Mom and Dad couldn't get their act together and you have to suffer. Maybe you even think that you could have done something to stop it, or, when you're really feeling down, you might even think that it had something to do with you. It didn't. First, I'll set you straight about that one and then give you some advice on how to get through this tough time.

Brandon, 6 1/2, comes home one evening to discover his Daddy is leaving home. He can't understand why his parents can't solve their problems without his Daddy moving out, and he's wondering if he is to blame. I don't understand. Why did Daddy move out last night? I came home from school and he was taking out a suitcase. It looked like he was crying! Anyhow, he kind of messed my hair and said he'd see me on the weekend.

More than half of the marriages in the U.S. end in divorce. So there's a good chance that either you or a friend of yours has parents who are splitting up - or who already have. Divorce hurts. I don't need to tell you that. You might feel a lot of pain and be very sad. You also might feel like you're going through this all alone.Well, you're not alone.

Lindsay and Gillian are best friends, both 15. They're walking to school.

Lindsay: I can't tell you.

Gillian: What?

Lindsay: I'm in shock. I'm out of my mind. I'm going to kill somebody.

Gillian: What are you talking about?

Lindsay: I saw her.

I want to live with my dad and his new family in the new house he bought them. I feel left out of his life, but also responsible for my mother, because my dad is always doing things to hurt her. I will have no place to live if I don't stand by her. The problem is, I don't like her or love her; I just pity her. I want him to stop hurting her, so I can go and live with him and have fun and a good time, not always hearing all the problems she has with where to live and all the bills she has to pay. What can I do? - Responsible for Mom