5 Divorce Lessons from Abby, Rudy, and Their Blended Family
Divorce requires families to adjust almost every aspect of their lives. Children experience major shifts just like grownups — but they have fewer words to express how they’re feeling.
As you’re trying to answer questions of your own, from whether and how you’ll be co-parenting to what choices will be best for the future, check out these age-appropriate, reassuring resources to use with children.
Here are 5 points Sesame friends have to share about divorce and blended families.
1. How to Talk to Kids About Divorce
Explaining divorce to a child may feel overwhelming and heavy, but there are some ways to help lighten that weight.
In this video, Gordon explains divorce to Elmo and Rosita, who have become curious after Abby draws pictures of her two separate homes.
Our page on divorce includes a message from Abby, as she shares her experience herself.
Conversations with children about divorce usually include some tough questions, so it helps to be prepared. The articles below will help you talk about issues big and small, even as questions may get more complicated.
If you are co-parenting, try this printable to help little ones understand the visitation schedule.
2. With Big Changes Come Big Feelings
Finding the most comfortable way to explain divorce to a child is only the first step in adjusting to changes that come with separation and divorce. Everyone will need tender love and care as each person in the family processes and adjusts.
Watch these videos for examples of how other parents respond as children express their feelings about divorce. It can also help to remind children, like Gordon reminds Abby in this video, that divorce is not their fault.
Responding to Different Reactions
Advice for coping with the different reactions children may have to a divorce.
Expressing Feelings
Watch Abby’s story of her parents’ divorce and help children tell their own story.
Reminding Kids It’s Not Their Fault
Reassure children, just like Abby, that a divorce is never their fault.
3. Two Homes, Two Hugs
During the early stages of divorce, lots of routines may need to change. But that also brings an opportunity to create new ones that work for your current situation.
You can start by sharing the storybook “Two Hug Day” with your child. After reading, talk about how you’ll adjust old routines or create new ones together, focusing on the days your little one transitions from one parent to another.
Watch as Maggie talks to Abby about the big feelings Abby has when she realizes she will be spending less time with her daddy than she did before the divorce.
If your little one struggles with saying goodbye during “two-hug days”, this “Bye For Now” music video may offer some comfort.
Remind children that when they’re away from one parent, they are still taken care of within their larger circle of family and friends. Use this printable activity to talk about who’s in your child’s important circle of care.
4. What is a Blended Family?
When their parents, Maggie and Freddie, got together to create a new, blended family, Abby and Rudy got new titles: step-sister and step-brother. Read the storybook to learn all about the new fairy-monster family.
Remind children that you can think of new traditions together. Then use this printable to brainstorm A New Family Tradition.
And check out this article about adjusting to a blended family.
A Blended-Family Celebration
Meet Sesame Street’s new Monster-Fairy Family—and celebrate the new possibilities that a blended family can bring.
A New Family Tradition
Children draw a picture of a new routine or ritual that their new blended family might enjoy together.
Adjusting to Blended Families
These pointers can help you guide a child through a new family dynamic.
5. Some Things Will Stay the Same
This article on managing changes can help everyone refocus attention on the routines, love, and care that will stay the same even as your family structure changes.
As Maggie says, “love is what makes a family.” Remind children that, while your family may look different, the love you have for each other can help keep you resilient… together.
