Can My Kids Be OK? A Divorce Therapist Who's Been There Explains

🎯 "I couldn't sleep. I couldn't eat. It was all because of what I was doing—what we were doing—to my kids."

If that sounds familiar, this conversation is for you.

Jill Barnett Kaufman is a licensed therapist, divorce coach, certified mediator, and co-parenting expert who's been helping parents since the 90s. But she's also been exactly where you are—terrified that divorce would ruin her children's lives.

Now, years later, with thriving adult children (including a middle child who recently told her she finally understands what a healthy relationship looks like), Jill shares what actually protects kids during high-conflict divorce—and why your fear that they'll be ruined is probably wrong.

What You'll Learn:

✅ Signs your child is struggling vs. normal adjustment to divorce
✅ Why anxiety and depression in kids look different than you'd expect
✅ What regression actually means (it's not just bedwetting)
✅ Why your ex will treat your child differently than they treated you
✅ How to respond when your ex badmouths you to the kids
✅ The power children have that spouses don't (and why this matters)
✅ Parallel parenting vs. co-parenting: When to accept reality
✅ Communication strategies when every notification triggers your PTSD
✅ Why using ChatGPT for emails usually backfires (and what to do instead)
✅ The one truth that changed Jill's perspective: Staying in an unhealthy marriage teaches kids THAT is what relationships look like

About Jill Barnett Kaufman: Jill is a licensed therapist, divorce coach, and certified mediator who's specialized in parenting and co-parenting since the 1990s. She runs a large Facebook community for people going through separation and divorce and offers group coaching, one-on-one support, an online course, and a book. Most importantly, she's lived it—she went through her own high-conflict divorce when her son was 12, experiencing the same terror about her children's futures that she now helps other parents navigate.

⏱️ TIMESTAMPS:

00:00 - Introduction: Will my kids be okay?
01:44 - Signs your child is struggling with divorce stress
03:10 - What regression looks like (beyond bedwetting)
04:47 - Anxiety and depression in children: What to watch for
06:16 - When temporary symptoms become concerning
08:39 - Why your ex will treat your child differently than you
09:52 - The power kids have that you didn't as a spouse
11:15 - How to respond when your ex badmouths you
13:40 - Teaching kids to set boundaries (without coaching them)
15:20 - The importance of listening more than talking
17:36 - Why parents shouldn't script kids' responses
19:00 - Parallel parenting vs. co-parenting reality
19:58 - Communication when every notification triggers PTSD
20:45 - Common communication mistakes (even with ChatGPT)
22:35 - The truth about staying "for the kids"
24:25 - Why kids feel responsible when you're struggling
25:27 - How to find Jill and her community

CONNECT WITH JILL BARNETT KAUFMAN:
🌐 Website: https://DivorceCoachJill.com
📧 Email: info@DivorceCoachJill.com
👥 Facebook: Separation and Divorce Support Community
📚 Book, Online Course, and Group Coaching available

BEEN THERE GOT OUT RESOURCES:

📚 Strategic Communication Course: https://programs.beentheregotout.com/strategic-communication
💬 Instagram: @been_there_got_out
🌐 Blog: https://beentheregotout.com/blog

#KidsAndDivorce #HighConflictDivorce #ParallelParenting #DivorceCoach #HealthyParent #CoParenting #AnxiousKids #DivorceAdvice #ParentingAfterDivorce