In most of the family breakups that I witnessed the mother takes care of the child (children) alone, which is a demanding heavy task, especially if her social support network is limited. Occasionally a mother will come to ask me what to do to help her child adjust and cop with the new situation.
I say think of the airplane flight attendant instructions when a crisis hits the airplane, and the oxygen masks are needed. IF YOU ARE with A CHILD YOU SHOULD PLACE THE OXYGEN MASK ON YOUR FACE FIRST and THEN place it on your child.The same applies in lifetime family crisis, the parent should be strong enough to handle the crisis first before trying to help the child.
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