Step by Step|离婚对父母和小孩而言都很煎熬。

by Marcus Maurice

Divorce is hard on parents and kids.

The harsh reality of marriage is that nearly half of them end in divorce. This is extremely difficult for all parties, especially when there are children involved. The youngsters usually have to adjust to one parent becoming the primary caregiver and seeing the other parent a lot less. This usually coincides with emotional disagreements between the parents, which take a heavy toll on the kids. Sooner or later, one or both of the parents may find someone else to spend their lives with. These families must find ways to co-exist with each other, and a lot of times, it ends up being a bumpy road.

Children don't automatically take to their stepparents right away. Therapists have a few suggestions to make the reconstituted families' lives easier. For parents, the number one rule is to be positive about the previous marriages. Kids don't want to hear about how great the new stepparents are, while their real parents are openly criticized. Another way is for the stepparents to form bonds with their stepchildren by going on outings together. These can be as simple as trips to the grocery store, going for walks, or watching movies together. Soon, the stepparent and stepchild will have their own stories and jokes to share with each other.

Being a stepparent or a stepchild is never simple, and every situation is very different. The things that both sides need to remember are never to give up on each other and that things will work out in the end.

1.  According to the article, what happens to kids when their parents get divorced?

(A) They become much more difficult to get along with.

(B) It is difficult for them to get used to seeing less of one parent.

(C) They usually despise their new stepmother or stepfather.

(D) They have a hard time finding true love later on in life.

2.  What does "which" in the first paragraph refer to?

(A) The cost of a divorce.

(B) The harmony in a household.

(C) Two parents quarreling.

(D) The parent they choose to live with after a divorce.

3.  What is something a stepparent should NOT say to a stepchild?

(A) "Stop playing with your food."

(B) "You should remember to flush the toilet after using it."

(C) "You need to cut down on the amount of sugar you eat."

(D) "I am a much better cook than your mother, who doesn't even know how to boil water."

4.  What is the author's purpose for writing this article?

(A) To help families blend together.

(B) To warn children about the evils of divorce.

(C) To show that children can easily adapt to new family members.

(D) To teach parents how to live without their children after a divorce.

离婚对父母和小孩而言都很煎熬。

婚姻残酷现实的一面是近一半以离婚收场。这对夫妻双方来说都极为难熬，特别是牵扯到小孩子的时候。小朋友通常得适应父母其中一方成为主要的照顾者，以及见到另一方的时间变得很少。这种情况时常伴随着父母间的争吵，这会对小朋友造成严重的伤害。父母双方或其中一方迟早会找到跟他们共渡一生的人。这些家庭必须找出共存之道，而大多数时候，这是 1 条崎岖多舛的道路。

小孩子不会立即主动接纳自己的继父母。治疗师有几项建议可让这类的重组家庭生活得更自在。对父母来说，第 1 条规则就是正面看待上一段婚姻。小孩不想听新的继父母人有多好，而自己的原生父母却被当众批评。继父母和继子女建立关系的另一种方法，就是和他们一起出门，这可以简单到像是一起去杂货店、散步，或是看场电影等。很快地，继父或继母就会跟继子女有共同的故事和笑话可以彼此分享。

继父母或继子女的角色都很难为，而且每种情况也大不相同。父母和子女双方都要谨记，永远别放弃对方，而且一切终会否极泰来。

答案：1. (B)2. (C)3. (D)4. (A)

如何教育重组家庭的子女?

1. 先弄清孩子的心理，了解他们在精神上、生活上的真正需要，逐步解决他们的疑虑与担心，使他们从思想上接纳你。

2. 了解原生父母与孩子之间的某些习惯、爱好，用同样的爱去照顾孩子，把他们当作自己的亲生儿女看待。注意细小的事情及细微的变化，让他们感觉一切和原生父母在时一样，甚至比以前还要更好。

3. 当继子女犯错或与自己亲生的孩子有冲突时，处理的方法及态度要公正，并要正视其错误，严格教育，正面引导，不姑息不迁就。但也要注意，一定要在建立了融洽的关系以后，他们愿意听从你的教诲时才可直率、严肃地管教。不可蔑视他们，也不能用自己对事物的评价标准去要求他们。

4. 注意以自己的言行举止做为继子女的榜样。要表现出对原生父母的尊重，允许继子女想念、祭悼或去探望原生父母，允许孩子和原来的亲戚朋友往来。但如果这种交往会影响孩子的成长及家庭的和睦时，就加以适当限制，并设身处地为孩子们着想。

5. 为继子女创造美好的生活环境，为他们的身心健康成长、养成良好的行为习惯提供一切必要的条件和帮助。