Effects of divorce on children

What to do .... Access Visits When Divorced

Access Visits When Divorced

• It is a challenge but parents who live separately can successfully share in raising children. For the best interest of your child, keep lines of communication open with the other parent. This can provide a positive environment in both homes.
• Children's behaviour may be different when returning home after time spent with their other parent. Rules and routines are different in each of the homes and making the change from one home to the other can be stressful for both child and parent.
• How can parents help?
  • Talk about the differences in each home.
  • Avoid putting down the way things are done in the other home with or in front of your child.
  • Talk about your child's likes and dislikes in each situation.
  • Remind your child of your limits, nice things you do together and your expectations. Young children may need this said a few times.
  • Avoid shifting major objects or belongings in the home while the child is absent.
  • Each home needs to have a favourite object of your child's, their own bed and a place to put their belongings. This helps the child believe they truly belong in both homes and are not just visiting.
  • Make time to talk about what has happened over the past few days. Listen and acknowledge how your child is feeling.
  • Encourage plenty of phone contact with the absent parent and their family.
  • If one parent has major concerns about their child's wellbeing in the other home, seek help from a counsellor or a social worker.
• With planning and care children can adjust to the sharing of their lives between two parental homes and feel loved and secure in both of them.

Parenting tips & parenting articles copyright & courtesy
Department for Community Devlp, Australia.

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