ABSTRACT
Younger children may become anxious; complain of tummy aches, or start to wet the bed. School performance is commonly affected as children find it difficult to concentrate on their studies. The effect of the family situations on children is worse if they are targets of aggression themselves, if their general care is neglected, or if they are involved in taking sides in the disputes. When parents decide that they can no longer live together, the child's world changes for ever. Children's emotions about the separation and/or divorce of their parents are usually very complex. Wherever possible it is helpful to involve children in ways that will help they understand that something important and final has happened, and that other people also feel sad and upset about it. Attending a funeral can be an important way of coming to an understanding of death.
