Episode 67 - The Impact of Divorce and Infidelity on Children with Juliet Rosenfeld

What are the short- and long-term effects of infidelity and separation on children, and how can parents protect their child's emotional wellbeing through it? In this episode, I am joined by Juliet Rosenfeld, psychoanalyst and author, to explore the impact of infidelity and separation on children. Drawing on her clinical work and psychoanalytic perspective, Juliet explains that these experiences can feel like a "seismic rupture" in a child's world. Even when children appear to adapt, they are often making sense of something they do not yet have the language or developmental capacity to fully understand. This can shape how they see themselves, their relationships, and their sense of safety in the world. We explore how these early experiences can echo into adulthood, sometimes showing up as difficulties with trust, fear of abandonment, or patterns in relationships. Importantly, this is not about blame or guilt. Instead, it is about awareness. Juliet shares that what matters most is not whether separation happens, but how it is handled. When parents can offer a united, age-appropriate narrative, protect children from conflict, and remind them that they were born out of love and remain deeply loved, this can significantly soften the impact and support children to thrive despite change. You can find out more about Juliet Rosenfeld and her work here: https://julietrosenfeld.co.uk/