It can be difficult to spot signs of emotional distress in children, and the signs vary depending on the age of the child.
Babies
- Parents can pass on their anger or depression to babies at a crucial time in their growth.
- Try to give your baby plenty of cuddles, smiles and good eye contact.
Aged 2 to 5
- Your child may be more angry, tearful or sad.
- Boys may become restless, withdrawn or disruptive; girls may try to become ‘little adults’ and try to take care of either parent.
- Look out for behaviour they had stopped some time ago, such as bedwetting.
Aged 6 to 8
- Feeling rejected and unloved. You may notice a drop in school performance or hear that they have become disruptive in class.
- Boys will very often miss their fathers a lot more than girls will.
Aged 9 to 11
- Often become angry, especially towards the parent they believe is responsible for the separation.
- They often feel frightened and just want you to get back together again.
- You may notice an increase in headaches, sickness or nightmares.
Older children
- May become more independent and focus their energies outside the family while the parents are preoccupied.
- They may drift away from the family and seek approval from their friends.
If you are concerned about your child’s health contact NHS Direct on 0845 4647 (24 hours) or speak to your local GP.
