Divorce is hard on everyone, but children are often particularly affected, especially young children who might not have the ability to fully understand why their parents are splitting up.
Visitation allows the non-custodial parent to have the opportunity to spend quality time with their children, but it can also be emotionally fraught, especially if the children spend significantly more time with one parent than the other. You might find it difficult to get children to cooperate with visitation, or that they might have tantrums when visitation time occurs.
Here are some tips to make it go smoother so it can be a time that everyone is able to enjoy:
- Keep it positive: Whenever you’re discussing visitation, make sure to keep the conversation light and positive. Focus on the fun activities your children will be doing, and never badmouth your ex or say anything that could overshadow their enjoyment of the time they get to spend with their other parent.
- Avoid arguing: When you and your ex are in the same place at the same time, it is crucial you keep a united front and act respectfully to each other. Arguing in front of them can be highly distressing. Be pleasant. There’s no need to have extended conversations, just avoid bickering.
- Plan it out: Visitation should never come as a surprise to your kids. It should be on the calendar plenty far in advance so your kids have a routine and so you can talk about it and prepare them for it in advance.
- Be on time: If you’re the visiting parent, make sure you are there on time and are “present” (physically and emotionally) for the entire time you’re there so you can show your kids how much you value that time with them.
For more visitation tips, contact a trusted Minneapolis family law attorney at Appelhof, Pfeifer & Hart, P.A.
