Entertainment

The Way Christina & Tarek El Moussa's Daughter Responded To Their Divorce Is So Important

by Gillian Walters

On Aug. 15, Flip or Flop star Christina El Moussa officially filed for divorce from her husband, Tarek El Moussa, according to ET Online. The decision to part ways wasn't easy for Christina or Tarek, especially since they have two young kids together. The good news? Christina and Tarek are committed to the well-being of their kids, and their attempts at co-parenting peacefully have already paid off. According to Good Housekeeping, Christina and Tarek El Moussa's young daughter had the most mature response to their divorce, and her wise observation is proof that families that go through a divorce aren't "ruined" as some might believe.

When Christina and Tarek first announced their separation in December 2016, their relationship was fraught at best. It got so tense, in fact, that some fans wondered if Christina and Tarek would ever be able find a peaceful co-parenting relationship for their two kids, 6-year-old Taylor and 1-year-old Brayden. But Christina and Tarek eventually decided to place their co-parenting relationship at the top of their priority list. Even better yet, Tarek and Christina decided to have Taylor attend therapy so she could discuss her feelings in a safe and neutral space. Christina said, according to People:

One day, as I was driving her to an appointment, she said, 'I don't need to go to therapy anymore. I think you and Daddy are happier apart, and I don't really need to talk about it anymore.' She's very open and honest with her feelings, but still I was like, 'Wow, that's a big comment for a 6-year-old.

Not only was Taylor's observation about her parents astute, but it also hit on an important point — sometimes parents are better divorced than they are together. When kids are given the opportunity to come to this realization in a healthy and safe environment, the healing can be profound.

Furthermore, research has proved time and time again that a home rife with fighting and tension isn't healthy for kids. Dr. Gordon Harold, a researcher at Cardiff University in Cardiff, Wales explained how constant fighting between parents can threaten a child's emotional stability. Harold explained, according to ABC News:

When children are threatened at an emotional level they're showing increases in negative symptoms such as depression, anxiety, aggression, hostility. A child reacting to parental fighting may be withdrawn or quiet, and such behaviors are often overlooked, he says. Or the child may become aggressive and difficult, perhaps even acting out while the parents argue to distract them.

In Christina and Tarek's case, they came to this realization early on in their separation. These days, Christina is only focused on the positives in her life. Christina said, according to Good Housekeeping:

... I only want to talk about positive stuff. Tarek and I are still filming Flip or Flop, and #1 we have the kids, so at the end of the day I just want to be positive and not think about anything else.

Not all divorces end so positively, and not all kids will be able to see the upside of their parents' separation like Christina and Tarek's daughter did. Even so, parents who feel guilty for not being able to live peacefully together might be surprised by their kid's response after having an open, honest conversation with them about it. Kids deserve more credit than they get.