It would firstly depend on your age, assuming you are still living with your parents you may have gone into some kind of shock, I would be prepared for a big downer that is probably on its way, just being supressed by the shock. If you are older and living on your own then it could quite possibly be shock also. I wouldent worry about being insensitive, worry about how your parents are both doing and be prepared just incase it is shock. Good luck

It depends on what you class as an effect on yourself, as to whether or not you had one. I was 7 when my parents split, and I was happy about it even then, as my Dad was controlling my mother and they argued all the time. Even at seven I knew it was the right thing for them not to be together, and 23 years later I still think it was the right thing to do. It is not insensitive if you are happy about the situation. You can love both parents and recognise that they are bad for each other (and in turn bad for you when they are together). You may feel some effects later in down the track, but whatever your feelings are they are normal, as we are all individual.

Uh oh. You sound like the Strangely Calm Vietnam Veteran.

MS - I suspect that "zero effect" thing is just the lack of time and emotional energy to fully realize how this will affect you. And, no, it is not necessarily strange or insensitive to be "happy" about a divorce. When my ex announced she wanted a divorce, I felt a perverse gladness that my shaky marriage situation was finally resolved, one way or the other. This may be part of what you are feeling. Similarly, when my father passed away, there was an element of relief because the ongoing battle between him and my Mom (they were *very* unhappily married) was finally over. I missed my Dad, but I didn't miss the yelling and the mind games. Does any of this sound familiar to you? It may not, but if your parents marriage was unhappy, it's reasonable to assert that their unhappiness affected you. So an end to that unhappiness would tend to have the effect of making you happier (even though you might lament the end of the family cohesion). Good luck...and don't be afraid to share other feelings you have during this situation with your AB support group. You might find it helpful to talk to us. . . .

You are who you are and you feel what you feel. Allow yourself to be whatever you are and to experience your feelings, even if they seem strange or change.

My parents are in the middle of a very lengthy, VERY ugly divorce and for a long time I said the same thing, that it wasn't having any effect on me and that I was glad it happened. Well, I'm still glad it happened. My parents were miserable together, but as time passes, it's becoming painfully clear how much it's actually affecting me. So many repressed feelings from my childhood are emerging and it's incredibly difficult to deal with on top of the divorce. Some day, maybe not today, maybe not tomorrow, but some day you will come to understand the kind of effect the divorce has had on you, and you will have to work through some issues of your own before you can say you've fully overcome it. It's like when you have one of those REALLY deep zits that is sore, tender and painful to the touch. You've got to endure more pain to get all the puss and toxins out before it starts to heal. The same is true for your situation. Once you open up and get rid of all the nasty stuff, you'll heal, but if you never touch it as long as you live, you won't know you're hurt, and it would continue to fester and become deeper. (A gross analogy, I'm sorry, but that's the best one.)

I do not find your reaction strange or insensitive. It sounds like they handled it very maturely during the divorce process as to keep you in a positive outlook about what they were going through. Have you asked your parents about what happened and why? I think they love you very much and tried to make it less painful for you as they went through the process of their divorce. You may be asking why? right now because you are just curious about what happened for them to break up.

..maybe you knew it was better off like this and you didn't feel miserable because it was expected and everyone is happier this way..just be careful because this zero effect might wear off and when/if it does..you will be a wreck..pay attention to your moods and feelings even if you say you really don't feel anything..something could be lurking deep down inside..without you knowing

Not necessarily. If your parents fought all the time and there was a lot of strife before the divorce and now that is NOT happening I can see how that would make you happy.

NOPE!! I wish mine would they fight a lot and my mom wants one.