7 Ways to Work Through the Pain of Your Parents’ Divorce

So you avoid repeating their story and instead build strong, healthy relationships.

If your parents’ divorce left you feeling confused, angry, or afraid of repeating their mistakes, you’re not alone.

This free guide shows you 7 practical ways to process the pain, heal the wounds, and build the kind of relationships you always wanted.

Because your parents’ divorce does not have to become your future.

The Hidden Struggle of Growing Up in a Broken Family

When your parents’ marriage falls apart, people often try to make it sound easier than it is. “You’ll have two homes.” “Everyone is happier now.” “It’s not that big of a deal.”

But if you lived through it, you know the truth.

Your parents’ divorce can leave you feeling:

• Angry or betrayed
• Abandoned or rejected
• Afraid of relationships
• Like something is wrong with you
• Unsure how to build a healthy marriage someday

And many people quietly carry those wounds for years.

Studies show that children of divorce are 2–3x more likely to get divorced themselves.

But that doesn’t mean you’re doomed to repeat their story.

A Clear Path to Healing

This free guide shares 7 practical steps to help you process what happened and move forward. Inside you'll learn how to:

1. Accept that your parents’ divorce is a big deal

Stop minimizing the pain and finally validate what you experienced.

4. Get your emotions out in healthy ways

Simple techniques like talking and writing that reduce anxiety and depression.

2. Understand the divorce was not your fault

Let go of the guilt many children secretly carry.

5. Take care of your emotional, physical, and spiritual needs

7. Find mentors and relationships that help you heal

3. Grieve the loss of your family

Learn how to process the pain instead of suppressing it.

6. Set healthy boundaries with your parents

By the end of this 6‑week program, you won’t have a perfect life or a magically fixed family. But you will have:

  • A clear map of your story
    You’ll better understand and name what actually happened in your family (70% of healing), how it impacted you, and why you react the way you do now

  • More emotional stability

    You’ll have processed key memories and wounds so they feel less raw, and you’re not constantly white‑knuckling your way through triggers

  • Healthier ways to handle pain

    You’ll learn practical tools to respond to hurt, anxiety, and loneliness without numbing, self‑sabotage, or blowing up relationships

  • New patterns to replace old ones

    You’ll identify a few specific unhealthy patterns you’ve been repeating and be given tools and resources to replace them

  • More hope about love and marriage

    Instead of assuming you’re “doomed” to repeat your parents’ story, you’ll have a grounded, realistic hope that a better future is possible for you

  • A starting point, not just a scar

    You’ll leave with language, practices, and a simple plan you can keep using after the 6 weeks to continue healing, not just “have a nice experience and go back to normal”


What You’ll Walk Away With

The program is based on: research-backed healing techniques, ageless wisdom from the Church, evidence of what’s worked for people like you, and insights from psychological research and experts.

Hi, I’m Joey Pontarelli.

When I was 11, my parents separated and eventually divorced.

For years I struggled with the same fears many people from broken families face:

• Fear of relationships
• Feeling broken or damaged
• Self-destructive habits
• Doubting whether love actually lasts

After doing the work of healing and interviewing dozens of experts, I started Restored, an organization dedicated to helping young people heal from family dysfunction.

Today:

• Restored content has helped hundreds of thousands of people
• The Restored Podcast has 150,000+ downloads
• My book It’s Not Your Fault helps people navigate the challenges children of divorce face. Lead magnet

And I’m happily married with kids. Healing is possible.

Created by Someone Who Lived It

Testimonials

“Your podcast has been more effective than 30 years of counseling.”

— Jessica L

“Reading your book has truly helped me heal from those childhood memories and has healed my perspective on marriage… it is now one of my favorites to re‑read.”

— Marissa G

Trusted by

Endorsed by

“I recommend Restored’s podcast as well as their other resources to help individuals break the cycle of brokenness and build authentic love.”

Jason Evert

“As a young man, I had no resources to help me through the devastating impact of my parents’ divorce. I highly recommend Restored to teen and adult children of divorce or dysfunction.”

Dr. Bob Schuchts

Your Parents’ Divorce Does Not Define Your Future

The pain from your parents’ divorce can push you toward:

• isolation
• unhealthy relationships
• addiction or destructive habits
• fear of marriage

But it can also become the beginning of a different story.

Thousands of people have done the hard work of healing and built the life they wanted.

You can too.

Start Your Healing Journey Today

Download the free guide and learn the 7 steps to process the pain of your parents’ divorce and build healthy relationships.