Heidi Klum and Seal are just the latest celebrity couple to announce their separation, coming shortly after a string of similar in-the-limelight splits starring the likes of Katy Perry and Russell Brand, among others. And, of course, there's the dramatic divorce saga featuring Kim Kardashian and Kris Humphries. But perhaps what makes the supermodel and her singer husband's break-up after six years a bit more complicated than that of, say, Perry-Brand and Kardashian-Humphries is that there are children involved. So what about the kids?!
Divorce, especially when it's high-profile, is never easy on anyone, and certainly not an ex-couple's children. But Dr. Susan Abbott, a leading child and adolescent psychiatrist, recently revealed to Hollywood Life her advice for how Heidi Klum and Seal should handle the kiddos (Leni, 7, Henry, 6, Johan, 5, and Lou, 2) throughout the difficult process and after the divorce. "Being children of wealth, their parents should be careful with over-indulging them or disregarding their limitations because they feel guilty over the split," Dr. Abbott said. "Kids can spiral out of control and become spoiled. Studies show that children do well if situations of extreme stress, like a parent separation, are handled as normal as possible," she added.
It's probably also beneficial that Heidi Klum and Seal's brood are still relatively on the young side. Perhaps they will be able to bounce back more easily from the split than would an adolescent or slightly older child. But, Dr. Abbott still warned that they could "believe they are to blame for the events that occur around them," so it's important to assert plenty of reassurance that they are by no means at fault.
The psychiatrist also added a tip list of sorts to keep things as normal as possible. It included such points as maintaining joint custody, having both parents participate in major decisions affecting their children's lives, and keeping up the same activities as before the split. The operative word and goal in all of this being "normal," but it's probably safe to say that Klum and her estranged husband's kids may already fall outside the parameters of normalcy (what with their famous parents and all!), even before the break-up.
recommend
Facebook
Twitter
bookmark 
print
