Coparenting

How to talk to your children about divorce

In this episode, Kate is joined by parenting expert Oona Alexander to explore how parents can protect their children's wellbeing during divorce. They discuss what to say, how to listen and ways to limit the emotional impact on your family.

21 January 2026
34 MIN
#174

In this episode, Kate is joined by parenting expert Oona Alexander to explore how parents can protect their children's wellbeing during divorce. They discuss what to say, how to listen and ways to limit the emotional impact on your family.

How to support your children through divorce without passing on your pain

Oona shares practical tips for starting conversations with children about divorce and how they’re feeling. She and Kate discuss how to maintain the fine line between pushing children to express their feelings too much and not discussing them at all. 

Oona also explains how to separate your own experience from your children’s and how not to project your feelings onto them. She gives invaluable advice on how to deal with your child’s challenging behaviours, navigate blame and prepare for conversations about the inevitable changes ahead.

What we cover:

  • How to start difficult conversations about divorce with your children
  • Why balance matters when encouraging children to express feelings
  • Separating your own experience from your children’s
  •  Handling challenging behaviours and blame
  • Preparing children for changes ahead

About Oona Alexander: parenting expert and divorced mum

Oona is a leading UK parenting expert and co-parenting specialist - as well as a divorced mum. 

She helps divorcing parents move rapidly from despair and guilt to positivity and confidence, so they can create the best possible outcomes for their children. 

With Oona, you discover the practical, loving steps to limit ‘damage’ to your children and help them be secure, happy and well-behaved before, during and after divorce. 

Get in touch with Oona

You can get in touch with Oona on her website. There you can also find helpful divorce resources and book a consultation.

More divorce resources

You can get in touch with amicable for more information on the legal, financial and parenting aspects of separation. Book a free 15-minute consultation with an amicable expert today. 

If this episode felt useful, Kate’s upcoming book amicable divorce goes even further, with practical guidance for navigating separation with kindness. Order on Amazon today.

We've created amicable space to give you more personalised support. Become a member of amicable space for bonus podcast episodes, exclusive webinars, articles and an interactive community. You can share your questions and get expert advice from amicable specialists. Learn more and sign up here.

Thanks for listening - here’s 3 months of the amicable co-parenting app for free! Open this link on your phone, install the app and create your account. Once that’s done, select 'I have a promo code' when setting up your family, enter PODCAST, press ‘apply’ and enjoy staying organised together.

Latest Episodes

Episode #198: In brief: What to read with your child when your family changes
Coparenting
10 June 2026
25 MIN

In brief: What to read with your child when your family changes

Think of every picture book your child has ever loved. How many show a family going through separation? Almost none - so what does that silence tell a child whose reality looks very different?

#198
Episode #197: What stepfamilies really need to thrive, with Stepmum Space
Coparenting
3 June 2026
38 MIN

What stepfamilies really need to thrive, with Stepmum Space

Becoming a step-mum comes with almost none of the roadmaps, support or community that biological mums get. If you're finding it harder than you expected, this episode will help you understand why - and what you can actually do about it.

#197
Episode #196: Values in divorce: a coach's guide to staying true to yourself
Emotional journey
27 May 2026
34 MIN

Values in divorce: a coach's guide to staying true to yourself

Your values shape every relationship you have - so what happens to them during a separation?

#196

Listen to The Divorce Podcast on your favourite platform