How Can I Make Transitions Between Households Easier for My Children?

 Posted on December 18, 2020 in Parenting Time

Many parents who are divorced or who have never been married often worry about the impact that transitioning between two households has on their children. Some children seem rather unbothered by going from one house to the other, while many kids become frustrated, upset, and stressed. Even months down the road, transition days can be difficult for your children. After all, a day that they are coming to stay with you is a day that they are leaving and saying goodbye to their other parent. These emotions can be difficult for children to deal with and could end up causing issues later in their lives, too. As a parent, there are things you can do to help make transitions between households much easier for your children.

Create a Routine and Stick to It

One of the best things you can do for your children is to find a routine that works for them and stick to it. Kids in general do not do well when their typical routines are disrupted. Once you are settled into a visitation schedule, you should then manage a consistent routine that you can use to help your children adjust to the transitions.

Maintain Consistency Between Households

One of the hardest things about co-parenting is the fact that you and your co-parent have to put aside your feelings to work together for your children’s best interest. In some cases, this can be difficult, especially if the parents are not on good terms or do not communicate well. However, basic rules, such as behavioral rules, should ideally be kept consistent throughout both homes.

Coordinate Transportation Before Transition Day

One of the things you and your co-parent should do prior to every transition day is determining transportation plans for the children. Most experts recommend that the parent whose parenting time is ending on that transition day should always perform the drop-off. This way, it does not feel as if the other parent is taking the kids from your home and there is no risk of an intimate goodbye moment being interrupted.

Contact a North Aurora Parenting Plan Attorney for Help

In today’s world, many couples share joint custody of their children with a fairly even distribution of parenting time and decision-making responsibilities. There are many different ways that you can craft a parenting plan, as they are purposefully left open-ended to allow for customization. Our skilled Kane County parenting plan attorney will help you and your spouse come to an agreement as to what type of parenting time distribution schedule is the best fit for the family. To schedule a private consultation at the Law Office of Matthew M. Williams, P.C., call us today at 630-409-8184.

Sources:

https://www.parents.com/parenting/divorce/coping/making-a-child-comfortable-in-two-homes/

https://www.helpguide.org/articles/parenting-family/co-parenting-tips-for-divorced-parents.htm