While being angry after a divorce is normal, find out why too much of a good thing can set you back.
Anger is normal with divorce. It becomes a problem when you hold on to it. How many of us can instantly think of a bitter divorcee? That person who smirks and rolls their eyes whenever their ex-spouses name is ever mentioned. Got the idea?
Today, let's focus on 3 reasons why holding onto that anger is not a good choice for you or your children.
1. It imprisons you in the past
This is anger about a relationship that is not in your future, it is ONLY in your past. You may be co-parenting with your ex-spouse and have a connection to them in that way, but no longer are you romantically linked with them.
Holding onto the anger keeps you focused on what could or should have been. There are broken dreams with the death of any marriage.
It also keeps you focused on only the bad things that happened in the relationship. All we focus on are things that fuel our anger when we are this upset. It's as if we have glasses on with a lens that filters out any happy times in order to continue feeding that anger.
2. It doesn't allow you to move forward
You aren't able to focus on the possibilities that lie ahead of you. All you can see are aspects of that past relationship.
It also causes you to hold onto the pain from that broken relationship. Wherever you go you carry around that extra baggage of pain. Think about it, would you be interested in going on a date with someone who spends the evening complaining about their ex-spouse?
3. Ultimately holding onto that anger hurts your children
Your children love both of you very much. That aspect has not changed for them just because the two of you are no longer married.
Children are very adept at knowing when their parents are fighting whether it's done right in front of them or not. It is very confusing for kids when these two people they love are at odds. They can't make sense of how this is possible. This confusion typically creates a lot of anxiety for children. In response to that anxiety, frequently they take on the responsibility of maintaining the peace rather than just being children.
Is it wrong to be angry? No! Anger is an emotion felt without our control. The way we react to the emotion such as blowing up, or choosing to fester in it is completely in our control! You have a choice to make. No, this is not an easy process and it doesn't just happen overnight.
Remarriage Preparation - How to Deal with the Ex-Spouse
One reality with remarriage is that you may not be your partner's first spouse. Not dealing with this fact can have some real consequences for your new marriage. Learn some of the biggest mistakes people make in dealing with the ex!Step Families - How to Create a Strong Step Family
Want to know the answer to one of the most asked questions about step-parenting? Knowing this answer will help you combine your families effectively and let you actually enjoy the experience.Step Parenting Preparation - How Does This Step Parenting Thing Work Anyway?
Becoming a step-parent can be a rather daunting task. Want to avoid some of the most common pitfalls right from the get-go? Read on...