What are the parents saying? Each parent is pointing a finger indicating they are trying to make a point. What words is this child hearing causing the large, flowing, blue  tears.    Even the dog, with wide eyes, seems startled by the parental conversation. Does either parent see how this is impacting their daughter.  Hopefully, one parent will take a moment and comfort their child.

#515,  What Are They Saying?

A picture of confusion and sadness. This child appears distraught with large  flowing tears.  Facial expression on parents and pointed fingers create an undeniably upsetting situation for this child.   A jagged line projecting out of the head of the child may represent confusion due to parental conflict. Perhaps, the light blue tears represent feelings of of sadness. Does that mean the large darker blue puddle indicate ongoing issues of being put in the middle.  Are these parents aware of how sad this child appears?  Does this child have someone to turn to that could offer emotional support?

Parental conflict is confusing to the child.  Both parents seem focused on fighting while the child  between them is understandably upset. 

#507, Tears and Confusion

This is a colorful presentation of divorce. The black backdrop adds to the drama and emotional impact. A split heart with two parents who both seem distraught with tears. Two children are floating as if being tossed from the small house in between them. This artwork is used to show a child how divorce may feel. Sadly, the ridges on each side of the heart, and both children without a strong attachment to anything are realistic.  

#502, Two

Sometimes in divorce, the dynamics change and one parent is left out. This shows how dad is not part of the picture for this child. Three-fourths of the pic is mom and child with a bright sun, blue skies, birds, a butterfly, flowers and green grass. Both are smiling. Child is displaying an especially large smile. A small part of the pic is dedicated to dad. Gray-tones set the dreary mood with a few large blue rain drops falling upon dad. Grass is gray, one flower in gray in droopy. Dad is miniature indicating he is less important. Dad, standing on a mound of gray does not appear to be smiling. A very unfortunate portrayal of this parent. I wonder if mom knows how important the father-child relationship is to the emotional and physical development of her child. 

#493, Left Out

An adolescent shares their thoughts on hearing each parent vent about the other. Divorce is between the parents and about the child. Involving the child in the adult matters of divorce is difficult and unfair. Keep in mind, the child is experiencing emotions about the major changes happening in their world. Hopefully, a relative is helping this teen. 

#491, A Child Not Therapist

Whisper/sh

Children experience many emotions upon the onset of parental divorce. For this young girl she makes a common statement many children say in not knowing what to do. She is standing in the puddle of large tears streaming down from a very sad sun face. She seems to have her hands up is she reaching out? Two hears are drawn with an X over one. Does this represent her confusion in which parent to side with? The question mark is  outlined in yellow emphasizing her sad quandary as to what she should do. I wonder if the parents are aware how torn she is about the divorce. 

#490, “I do not know what to do”

For young children, divorce permeates every aspect of their life. The many changes may be overwhelming. A 4-year-old girl draws divorce: On one side is a sad face with tears of blue and green eyes peeking through. A heart in the middle shares the same tears and several dividing lines. The other side shows a simple happy face in a cheerful color. Is this her rendition of ‘before’ and ‘after’ the divorce?  Regardless, there is a stark difference in each side of the page. These are big feelings for a little girl.  

#489, Tears of Sadness

This talented artist presents parental divorce through her experiences as a child to young adulthood. She presents the heart wrenching moments in the milestone events of parental divorce. This poem is emotionally captivating and touches on the emotions and experiences of a child growing up in the midst of  parental divorce. 

The artist comments: “I realized for the first time today disappointment goes both ways in a parent/child relationship, and this is the product.”On that note, I don’t blame their divorce for my failures. I take full responsibility for those. But my parents still shaped who I am to an extent, and that’s what I’m trying to get across in the last line. (WHICH IS MY FAVORITE PART I LOVE THAT GLASS METAPHOR SO MUCH MORE FOR ME).”

Divorce

7 years old