This artwork speaks to the importance of how parents interact in front of the child. Comments about one parent do impact the child. An important point to share is parental conflict could be handled in private. A parent could make comments on their co-parent to adult friends and relatives. Hopefully, the parents will reach out to their artist and talk about what is happening. Divorce is between the parents and about the child!
A scribe in the center indicates this is a different time period. Is this father holding the papers making the separation legal? Or, why are his children being separated from him? Closed eyes and hand on his heart show the separation may not be his idea. One child is looking to their father. Children being separated from a parent is a devastating event regardless of the time period.
#561, Officially Divorced
Artwork and a poem reveal the thoughts of an artist a family separation. This artist shares the emotional aspects of being a member of a family of divorce. Even more intriguing, she conveys feelings of love and loss and the parent-child bond. The last two lines describe the significance of the separation process. Will someone be reaching out to her?
This artist shares a common theme of how everything changes in divorce. Artist states: “One nasty divorce later, and the identical twins are wishing their parents were totally different. Because they love each other! But now they have different last names, homes, and parental units. Together and apart at the same time!”
#454, Split Family
Deviant Art Split Family y unsinkable-spirit
An emotional representation of divorce. The father appears desolate and sad. He is clutching his heart which seems to be ripped out of his physical body. Is his child standing before him, reaching up to daddy with a teddy bear in hand, before leaving with mom? Mom has no facial features and seems confident, with long, flowing hair and dress appearing to meld within the scenery. She is going in a different direction; her hair runs under a dark cloud touching the fathers’ head. Is this dad being left on the wayside? When will this father see his child next? More importantly, will this child have the opportunity to enjoy a loving relationship their father?
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Edvard Munch, Maryville, TN
#250, Saying Goodbye
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A vivid portrayal of the parent/child relationship for one artist. Notice how a person is peering out the window; who might that be. The ball seems to have a happy face, albeit looking down in what appears to be a puddle (of tears?) possibly. The part that stands out the most is the look of utter sadness on this child’s face. Interestingly, the mothers’ hands reach out to her child, yet, the hand on the right seems somewhat distorted. Does this mean the child does experience the touch as the mother intended, or is missing her daddy so much that nothing else can offer comfort to her? A poignant moment of emotions for this artist.
#429, I miss my daddy, divorce stinks
newyorktimes.com
Impact on child/Impact on child/Reality of divorce
The artist portrays the child as a lost and sad little boy drawing a heart in the sand. His pants have a hole, and the jacket is too large. Does the clothing mean the child is wearing adult size cloth and dealing with adult matters? An obvious assessment is how no one is paying attention to the care of this young one.
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#331, STOP Fighting
Understandably, parental conflict may be upsetting to children and adolescents. This artist portrays this young girl as being in emotional pain while listening to her parents fight. Striving for an amicable relationship with your co-parent is a huge gift to offer your child.
Parents are a child’s first and most important teacher. A child learns about relationships by watching their parents! What is this child learning about communicating with family members?
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Deviant Art, Family Portrait by gray-wolf-eyes
314, Stop Fighting
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Expressions of divorce through the analogy of toys and family members. The description of each sibling is heart wrenching. Divorce can create feelings of abandonment and loneliness. Each line of this poem alludes to the horrible impact divorce can have on a child.
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Divorce
My family is like a child’s toybox
My stepfather is a toy soldier,
strong, yet sentimental when needed.
My mother is the building blocks,
ready to tumble at any moment.
My little brother is a top,
moving quickly, stopping slowly.
My little sister is the toy that never gets played with,
being ignored and doesn’t say much.
And I; I am the bouncy ball being bounced between all these emotions
of a divorce…
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#309, Divorce and a Child’s Toy Box
A theme of childhood abandonment! A child trying desperately to mask the fighting of her parents! A sad reality for some children. Parents are really fighting, pointing fingers, mouth is open ….. Parental conflict creates insecurity and confusion for the child. Watching the two people they love and trust-fighting!
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Deviant Art: Please STOP by shopstalknroll
Link to artwork: http://www.deviantart.com/art/Please-STOP-97112089
#304, Please STOP
Shared Parenting Confessional 
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