Whether you are experiencing a divorce or not, if you have children they always remain the number one priority. You never stop being a parent and developing good skills for co-parenting and helping provide for your children is always important. Now with that in mind, if you are granted visitation rights for your child after a divorce, there are “do and don’ts”
DO:
You should always be prompt and on time. If you give the spouse or child a specific time that you will be arriving to pick him/her up, visit, whichever the case may be you to always live up to your word. This will help relieve the stress for children trying to adjust to their parents no longer living in the same home.
Make sure that your visiting time remains parenting time. Some parents that are allowed visitation try to live up to this image that they have to be the “fun and outgoing” parent by treating their children to treats, fun dates and special events. It is best not to overwhelm the child, they also need that time to listen to you get advice and know the do and don’ts of society. Try not to solely become a friend.
You should always try to include your extended family. Family is the most important and basic human need, so it is best that your children not lose touch with their grandparents, cousins, aunts and uncles on your specific side of the family tree. Make sure you included your extended family with your children so they never lose touch.
DON’T:
You should never associate money with love. It is not recommended that you insert negative thoughts and comments about your spouse into your children’s heads. Try not to let whether or not your spouse has paid their monthly child support payment determine whether or not they get to spend time with their kids.
It is best that you not allow your children to arrange their own visitations. It is in the responsibility of the spouses to make sure each child is allotted an equal amount of time to spend with each parent.
Try not to let your children put you into unnecessary disagreements with your spouse. If one parent tells a child “no” to something, don’t let the child put you in the middle. It is best to encourage the child to resolve any problems or issues with that specific parent try not to interfere with that.