If you are in the middle of a divorce, and you were court ordered to allow your spouse to have visitation sessions with your preschool-aged child, you will want to take steps to ensure the time spent away from you goes smoothly. At first, visitation may be a bit difficult for a child, as they may not be aware of the rules regarding duration or frequency. Here are some ways you can help your child become accustomed to their new way of life.
Remain Positive
It is very important to keep a positive attitude about the time your child will be spending with the other parent. Do not let your differences with your spouse take away from the pleasure your child will have in seeing them. If your child detects any disapproval you have about the visitation, they will be more likely to be upset about needing to leave your home. At a pre-school age, a child may try to play peacekeeper and do what they feel you want. To help prevent this from happening, encourage your child to get excited about seeing their other parent by informing them of some of the activities they may be doing together.
Create A Calendar
Purchase a calendar to hang in your child's room. Sit together with your child and explain how a calendar works and how they can mark off the days using a crayon or marker. Have your child add some stickers to the calendar representing the days they will be visiting with the other parent. Having this countdown tool will help them get accustomed to a schedule. It will also take the uncertainty out of knowing when they will be at your home or at the home of the other parent. If the visitation sessions include overnight trips, purchase two calendars to mark up together so your child can bring one to the other parent's home.
Allow Communication
It is important for your child to keep the line of communication open with the other parent even during times they are not visiting with them. This is especially important if the visitation sessions are not that long. Allow your child to make phone calls to tell the other parent about special events that may have happened during your custodial time. Have them write letters or draw pictures to give to the other parent when it becomes time to meet up for a visitation session. Keeping the other parent actively involved in your child's life even at times they are not visiting will help make the transition easier.
A lawyer from a firm such as Koth & Gregory PC Law Firm will be able to help you with your custody arrangements.
Share16 February 2016
Just as there are laws to protect us on the roads, there are laws to protect our families. Whether you are fighting for the right to see your children, or are in the beginning stages of a divorce, a lawyer can help. There are many laws and stipulations that can have a serious impact on the outcome of any family legal situation. Having a lawyer working at your side to get through a difficult time is the only way to ensure that your rights are fully protected. On this site, you will learn about some of the family laws that could be impacting your life today.