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Breaking bad news to your child is one of the hardest parts of parenting — and something every family faces at some point.

In this episode of The Mother-Son Podcast, Kim and Jacob talk through how to break bad news to kids in an age-appropriate way, including conversations about death, divorce, moving, health diagnoses, and financial disappointment.

Using real parent-teen dialogue, personal stories, and research-backed insights, this episode explains why kids react the way they do and what actually helps them cope — without increasing fear, anxiety, or confusion.

You’ll learn why kids aren’t “mini adults,” how brain development affects emotional reactions, and why honesty needs to look different at different ages.

What We Cover

• Why bad news triggers strong emotional reactions in kids
• How brain development affects stress, fear, and coping
• What to say (and what to avoid) when sharing hard news
• Why repair matters more than saying everything perfectly

Age-By-Age Guidance

Ages 3–6:
Kids think literally, how euphemisms can confuse them, and why repetition and reassurance matter.

Ages 7–11:
How honesty (without oversharing) reduces anxiety, and why kids this age look for fairness and reasons.

Ages 12–14 (Tweens):
Tweens internalize stress, worry about identity, and need transparent but bounded communication.

Ages 15–18:
How honesty and respect build trust, why teens may mask emotions, and why parents shouldn’t lean on teens emotionally.

A Special Focus on Divorce

We spend extra time discussing how divorce impacts kids at every age, including:

• Why kids struggle more with conflict and secrecy than divorce itself
• How communication style affects long-term emotional health
• Why kids should never feel responsible, take sides, or act as messengers
• What research shows helps kids adjust over time

Research & Sources Referenced

This episode is informed by peer-reviewed research, including:

• Shomoossi, N. & Rad, M. – Age-specific communication when delivering difficult news
• D’Onofrio et al. (2019) – Divorce, separation, and child mental health outcomes
• van Dijk et al. (2020) – Interparental conflict and child adjustment
• Amato (2010) – Divorce as a process and child well-being
• Lansford (2009) – Long-term adjustment following parental divorce
• Vélez et al. (2011) – Parent-child relationship quality after divorce
• Compas et al. (2017) – Coping and emotion regulation in children and adolescents
• Cao et al. (2022) – Child adaptation trajectories following divorce

(Full citations available upon request or in extended show notes.)

Key Takeaways for Parents

• Kids aren’t mini adults — their brains process stress differently
• Honest, age-appropriate communication builds trust
• Avoiding hard conversations can increase anxiety
• Repair matters more than perfection
• Letting kids feel their feelings safely is essential for healthy emotional development

Connect With Us

💬 Send us a message using the “Send Us a Text” link
📸 Follow us on Instagram: @themothersonpodcast
🌐 Visit: TheMotherSonPodcast.com

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