Helping Children Deal with Visitation 

Children have an amazing ability to learn quickly.  They crave knowledge, they’re innocence is free of prejudice and their minds are open to absorb the experiences they encounter.  As parents we have a responsibility to our children to guide them, encourage their strengths and develop their weaknesses.  When a family splits up tensions surrounding the separation can have a lasting effect on everyone, and children are often much more susceptible to long lasting emotional scars.

Most experts agree that a child who is able to spend time with both parents on a regular and consistent schedule will have a easier time coping with stresses of divorce than a child who has limited or no contact with one of the parents. 

If a child is old enough to ask why the family is not together anymore.  Then the child is old enough to receive some type of explanation.  It is important that you try to help them understand what they should expect to see happen during these difficult times.  Inform them about any planned visitation schedules, so they realize they will still have contact with both parents.  Communication is the key.  And children, even very young children, learn from what they hear.  With this in mind, parents should try to avoid, fights, insults and heated discussions in their presence.  If a child does over hear the parents fighting, then it is important to reassure the child that any arguments between the mother and father does not affect the love they both share for the child.

See Also:

Reluctance or Refusal to Visit a Parent

Denial of Visitation in Extreme Circumstances

Interference with Contact/Visitation Abuse

Child Representation