No, you don't. You have the right to love and be loved by both parents.
If you are feeling pressured to take sides, and you feel you are caught in the middle of your parents' problems, tell them.
You are not the reason for your parents splitting up. Parents split up because of problems in their relationship.
Ideally, your parents will make the decisions together about who you will live with and how that will work. Your opinion should be taken into account.
If they can't decide themselves, they might go to a mediator for help in reaching an agreement. Or they might have to go to court and have a judge make the decisions for them.
If there are things you need to know, ask. You have a right to ask questions about what is going to happen and why.
It's natural — and entirely normal — to experience some intense emotions. You will feel better over time. There are lots of ways to help yourself feel better, and people who can help you if you need it.
Separation and divorce have a profound impact on all family members. Loss of security is often coupled with intense feelings of grief. The stress can be overwhelming for kids, teens and parents.
This website can help.
Get age-appropriate information to guide you through separation and divorce. Be sure to select your province at the top of the page before choosing your age group or exploring other areas of the site.