It is important to understand that feelings do not cause behavior. While you CAN’T choose how you feel, you CAN choose how you react and behave. Expressing anger is inappropriate if it makes your former partner or children feel unsafe.

You should try to respond to your feelings in ways that help your children make positive adjustments to the family breakup. 

You can read the first pages of the PAS handbook to learn more about the experience of separating for adults.

In the next section you will complete an interactive exercise to help you ensure you understand this important material on the separation experience for parents.