While your child may try to convince you that they will never, be a normal adult if you continue with your plans for a divorce there is no scientific evidence that this is true.  You should never allow your child to manipulate you with such stories.  While it may seem like the perfect time for your child to abuse and manipulate your relationship you must stand strong. 

Some of the worse long term, effects that children do experience can be related to their relationship with their parents.

 However, this can be reduced if the parents work together to ensure that their relationship is amicable in front of the children.  While not all parents actually get along after the divorce, you should at least appear to be getting along in front of your children.  You should never fight or argue in front of your children. 

You may not realize the bad effects that can occur if you are constantly bashing your spouse in front of the children.  If your children see you doing nothing but fighting, they could end up blaming themselves for the divorce.  This type of behavior is harmful however just getting divorced will not harm your children.  Additionally when you begin dating someone new, your child may once again try claiming that they are going to be scarred for life.

Typically, these claims come from children that are old enough to know how to manipulate their parents to get things they want.  For example, a teenager may use the excuse for a car, or possibly even a later curfew.  Another common wish from teenagers is for a larger allowance.  These are often used as bargaining chips against parents.  However, if you withhold these luxuries to your child, they are likely to claim that they have many difficulties coping with the divorce. 

In the long term there are no traumatic effects, however in the short term your child may need some attention.

If your child is having trouble sleeping then you may need find a therapist for your child to talk to.  The use of a therapist for your child is a well accepted practice for helping children understand the complicated process of divorce.  With some help and understanding from a knowledgeable professional, you should see that your child will be perfectly fine.  Couples divorce each year, and actually each day.  The children from the divorce are always fine as adults. 

Many children from divorce marriages are often better parents because they know the pain and trauma that is possible from a divorce.  They work hard to ensure that their own marriage does not fall apart and often are more careful before getting married to ensure they select a good spouse. This is a long-term effect; however, the effect is a positive one. 

While you consider the long-term effects of the divorce on the children, it is important to note that the divorce can cause an increase of children living in a one parent household.  The reason for this is because many parents wait years before bringing a new spouse into the home.  Many children in single parent homes do end up getting into trouble.  However, this is not directly died to the divorce; it is instead tied to being a single parent household. 

This is the same problems that occur if a parent is single from the beginning.  So regardless, of whether you blame all of the problems on the divorce it is not necessarily the case.  If you are truly looking at all of the factors that are involved in a divorce, it is not necessarily the divorce that is to blame but rather the single parent household. 

There are some critics who say that long-term effects of divorce on children do include problems such as the lack of ability to maintain a relationship in their adult years.  The same critics also claim that young children are more likely to experience social and emotional development problems than those of children whose parents are not divorced.  Many also claim that the relationship between parents and children is worse as the result of divorce.  Regardless of which thoughts you think are correct, how you handle the divorce and interact with your child can greatly reduce the problematic long-term effects.