eir behavior has changed.” 6 Children describe the feelings of loss and sadness as being prolonged. The feelings affect them in every area of their life, even in areas they have never felt before. Often reactions of unfairness surface and questions of “Why is this happening to me?” come to mind during the loss period. Because trust is built on how a person is treated by another person, a persons trust level is greatly affected by divorce. No one, including a child, knows how they are going to be treated during or following divorce. This aspect of loss, loss of trust, causes feelings of respect to dissolve. Children feel this same loss of trust or betrayal. Feeling betrayed by a parent is very difficult for a child. “The intense feelings of shame, guilt, and confusion. . . . ” are too much for them to carry. 7 Children turn these feelings in toward themselves, and this is demonstrated in their behavior and attitude. Their fear of abandonment is overwhelming, and the fear stays w
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