1. Read the following passage carefully and answer the question that follows. Many studies have shown that it is best for children to have both parents in their lives. Even if a step parent is not abusive, it will still be difficult for a child to form the kinds of bonds or relationships they have with their birth parents. If you are planning to get a divorce, it is important to do everything you can to make sure that your children have some kind of emotional support beyond you and your ex-husband or wife whether it is seeing a psychologist or just looking for social interactions that will not be affected by the divorce. One of the hardest parts of divorce for children is trying to maintain a stable life while living between two homes. Regardless of how hard you and your former spouse may try, it may prove impossible to share custody or the care of the child that provides a consistent routine for your child. Unfortunately, it is not easy to lessen the impact of constantly having to travel from one home to another. Open communication with your child is the best way to ensure that his or her needs are met as much as possible. Even though many children today come from broken homes, there is still an enormous social burden placed on the child. Among other things, if a child has to go from one parent's house to another on the weekends, they miss out on vital socializing opportunities with their school friends. You will also find that the constant disruption over the holidays will also take a toll on normal social development. When it comes to custody decisions, many couples choose one parent for weekdays and the other for weekends and holidays. Aside from being confusing, there are a number of consequences to this kind of arrangement. If you find that your children do not have as many friends at school, or that they are often frustrated with social situations, it may be a good indicator that the custody arrangements are contributing to the problem. Rather than simply ignore the fact that your child's social life is being disrupted by divorce, it is important to face this fact and take steps to amend the situation. Adapted from: Sunday Monitor, May 10, 2009. As a counsellor, write what you will tell the (20 marks). Parents about the effects of divorce to children. according to the passage. Use not more 120 words.
