How Do I Explain Supervised Parenting Time to My Child?

 Posted on October 31, 2024 in Parenting Time

While it is generally presumed that both parents can provide supervision and care for their child, there are certain circumstances that may warrant supervised parenting time. Particularly for younger children, explaining supervised parenting time can be difficult. The best interests of the child always take precedence over what the parents want in Illinois family courts – although the two may overlap.

While liberal parenting time with both parents is the ideal, there are times when this just is not possible. If you believe your ex should only have supervised parenting time with your child, it will be up to you and your lawyer to prove the reasons for that in court. It is beneficial to have a highly experienced Aurora, IL parenting time lawyer to help you determine what is best for your child and then present it to the court.  

What Could Cause One Parent to Have Supervised Parenting Time?

Supervised parenting time or other parenting time restrictions are usually only ordered when there are concerns for the child’s safety or it is believed by the court that a parent does not have the ability to provide a nurturing environment for the child. In cases where one parent has consistently engaged in parental alienation toward the other despite warnings from the court, supervised parenting time could also be ordered.

Problems with drugs or alcohol or a history of domestic violence could result in supervised parenting time, as could a serious mental health disorder. In some cases, a child may have special needs that the parent is unable to handle on their own, so supervised visitation is ordered.

What Are the Different Types of Supervised Parenting Time?

The court may order limitations on the amount or frequency of parenting time, requirements regarding the transportation of children between the parents’ homes, or supervised visitation. Supervised visitation requires that a third party be present during parenting time to ensure the child’s safety. 

This third party could be a professional supervisor, a social worker, or a family member. While the court seeks to preserve parental rights whenever possible, supervised visitation is usually seen as a last resort. Supervised visitation could be required for a few visits or indefinitely.

How Do You Explain Supervised Visitation to Your Child?

Explaining supervised visits to your child should be handled with care and will differ depending on the child’s age. Reassure your child that the supervised visitation is temporary (unless it is not) and that the third party is only there to ensure that the child is safe and can enjoy his or her visit with the other parent.

Children may be anxious about the third-party supervisor if it is not a family member they are familiar with. Explain that the presence of a supervisor is not because the other parent did anything "wrong", but rather to ensure that the child has a good, happy visit with his or her parent.

Children may react with confusion, sadness, or anger to supervised parenting time. If the other parent is angry about the supervised parenting time, then the child will likely sense this. It is important that you help your child communicate with his or her other parent and the third-party supervisor during supervised parenting time. 

Encourage your child to share his or her concerns and ask questions. Some parents find it helpful to role-play hypothetical situations to help them become more comfortable with the process, but this will depend on your child’s age.

Contact a Kane County, IL Visitation Lawyer

When you choose a St. Charles, IL parenting time attorney from The Law Office of Matthew M. Williams, P.C., you can be assured that your attorney will fight for your child’s best interests at every turn. Attorney Matthew M. Williams has experience with troubled youth and focuses his family law practice on mediation and collaborative divorce practices to reduce costs and make the process less contentious. Call 630-409-8184 to schedule an appointment to discuss your specific issues.