My 4-year old father will move to another country- Devastated

[vsantos]

  Hello,
       My husband left home almost 2 years ago (had a Manic Episode and the rest in History!).
       But aside form about 6 months that he was very sick and only seeing our daughter a few times per month, he has always been an amazing father, 100% present in her life and she Loves him to death!
       She sees him 2-3 times weekly. And talks to him on the phone everyday.

        Now he is thinking  about moving back to Brazil and I'm devastated for my daughter.
        But here is my question, I don't want to suffer too much for what can happen to my daughter before it happens, but the many statistics we read about children growing up without a Parent is so SCARY!
        
       Considering that I have family around, we're very tight family, my daughter spends a lot of time with them, I'm 100% dedicated to my little. We live in a very healthy-nurturing environment.
        I would do anything possible to minimize the emotional impact the 'loss' of her father may have on her.
        My question is, should I pay much attention to all this NEGATIVE statistics, will my daughter be okay if I keep giving her all my love, attention, family, healthy foods and education???
     I'm heart broken with the prospect of having to answer to the many question she will have once her father leaves :-(

     PLEAE ANY ADVICE

[Kevin Kennedy, Ph.D.]

I cannot offer you reassurance one way or the other because it is not possible to predict the outcome. All you can do is the best you can do. The statistics to which you are referring are based on large numbers of people and they indicate an 'average' response. That tells you little about how any one child will respond. It sounds like she has the sort of loving and attentive extended family that will serve as a major protective factor against instability. You will have to cross each bridge as you come to it. reply to her questions in as simple and straightforward fashion as you can, even when the only reasonable reply is: "I don't know".

[dafodil2237]

Im very concerned about my son, 4years old, Dad and I in the process of divorce, we have been living apart from Nov2010,he sleeps at his dad once a week and evey alternate weekends. We have no other family here, my son starts school in Sepember.Small support network. His dad is planning to leave and live abroad. How do I support my son and myself during this period of transition. i am currently unemployed, looking for work. We may have to relocate due to this too, so many changes!! WHat aresome steps to support my son emotionallyduring this huge transition-going to school, possibility of not having his dad around that he adores, moving home. want to createasmuch stability for him as possible. My dad recently passed away January, also abroad, was back for 2 months then returned due to life here,son missing his dad. Any advice willbe welcome