What To Do, And Not To Do, During Child Visitation

When two parents separate or get divorced, they can either share custody of the children from the marriage or one parent may be awarded visitation. Visitation refers to when one parent has primary custody while the other sees the child during regular visits. During visitation, there are certain things to do, and things not to do. Below, our Delaware County child custody lawyer outlines what these are.

Do Prioritize the Well-Being of Your Child 

Your child’s well-being is the foundation of any visitation arrangement. Each parent has a responsibility to ensure the child always feels supported, loved, and safe during visitation. It is important to remain aware of your child’s responses to visitation and address any concerns they may have. Also provide the child with a consistent routine, as this can give them a sense of security and stability.

Do Not Make Visitation Depressing 

Visitation is about much more than simply being physically present with your child. This time spent with your child should be quality time. Do things with your child they enjoy such as attending an event, playing games, or simply having meaningful conversations with them. Do not talk about how sad you are about the divorce or separation, or spend time disparaging the other parent. Your child may internalize these feelings, which is very damaging.

Do Encourage Open Communication 

All parents, whether they are together or not, have to communicate about the child’s needs. Try to communicate in a constructive manner and make sure it is focused on problem-solving. Always keep your child’s best interests in mind and enter into any discussions with an attitude of mutual respect and cooperation. Also establish clear and consistent methods of communication such as calling, texting, or emailing.

Do Not Violate Court Orders 

Whether the current child custody order is temporary or permanent, it is critical that you do not violate it. The courts take these violations very seriously and you will face harsh penalties if you do not comply with the court’s instructions. For example, if you currently have a temporary order because your divorce proceedings are ongoing, failing to comply with it may result in a loss of custody or unsupervised visitation when your divorce case is final.

Do Respect the Schedule 

You may not be able to avoid being late once in a while, but it is important to try and respect the schedule as much as possible. If you consistently show up late, it may indicate that you do not value the time with your child, which may not only damage your relationship with them, but also hurt any future legal case you may become involved in.

Do Not Face Proceedings Without a Child Custody Lawyer in Delaware County 

If you are a non-custodial parent, do not go through any legal proceedings or disputes without the help of a Delaware County child custody lawyer. At Barbara Flum Stein & Associates, our experienced attorney can provide the strong legal representation you need and protect the best interests of you and your child. Call us today at 610-565-6100 or chat with us online to schedule a consolation and to learn more about how we can help.

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