The Challenges of Divorce

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Gray divorce often deeply wounds children of all ages.

A ruptured parent-child attachment bond can cause a child's refusal to see a parent after divorce.

Meaningful and effective apologies can facilitate healing for estranged parents and their children.

Gray divorce refers to couples 50 and older ending their marriage. Currently, 36 percent of U.S. adults divorcing are 50 or older, and many have minor children.

Sitting across from me in my office, Jerrod, 55, cupped his head in his hands as his words slowly emerged. "It's been almost six years since I told her mom I wanted a divorce. Madeline was 14. She's almost 20 now and still refuses to see me or communicate with me by text, email, or phone call."

My therapy dog, Friede, offered her nose to his hands in comfort. He raised his head and began to scratch the soft fur on her head and ears. Looking at her through his teary eyes with a tense smile, he said, "Thanks for your support, Friede."

He invited Friede to join him on the loveseat and continued. "I keep replaying everything she said to me before I moved out of our home, like, 'You're a hypocrite. You always taught me how important it was to have virtues like honesty, loyalty, and........

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