Maintaining a meaningful relationship with your child as a non-custodial parent can be difficult and frustrating. Parents yearning to be more involved in their child’s upbringing may demand extended visits or contest custody. But asserting that change isn’t always the best decision. Nurturing visitation rights can prove vital in building stability and support for the child.
A parent can get awarded several types of visitation rights. To protect your parenting time, you can employ strategies to ensure smooth visitation and prioritize your child’s happiness.
Supervised visitation
An approved third party typically supervises this type of visitation at a designated location. The arrangement addresses concerns about the child’s well-being for reasons such as previous behavior or possible parent non-compliance. To facilitate a fun and safe visit, a parent can:
- Treat the supervisor with respect: Cooperate with the neutral supervisor’s role in ensuring your child’s safety during visits.
- Create a child-friendly schedule: Plan appropriate activities that can strengthen your bond with your child.
- Foster a positive environment: Don’t badmouth the other parent and avoid discussing adult problems with your child.
Parents who face restrictions due to a history of violence or substance abuse should also diligently attend counseling sessions and other court-ordered requirements to keep visitation rights.
Unsupervised visitation
Unsupervised visitation allows scheduled time with the child at any agreed-upon site unless the custody agreement limits it. To create a pleasant visiting experience, a parent can:
- Keep a regular schedule: Set up a regular visitation schedule to provide stability for your child and to build trust with your ex-spouse.
- Communicate openly: Be civil and honest in discussions with your ex-spouse about your child.
- Put your child first: Structure your visitations to grow your relationship and make your child feel more secure.
Virtual visitation
Ex-spouses who live afar may also agree on virtual arrangements such as scheduled phone or video calls. Parents can make virtual meetings impactful by:
- Staying present: Give your child your full attention and encourage your child to do the same.
- Engage in virtual activities: Find fun things to do online together.
- Celebrate special occasions together: Arrange celebrations for birthdays and holidays with your child, despite the distance.
Being separated from your child can be emotionally taxing. However, the more you value that scheduled time together, the more your child will appreciate it too.
Protecting your visitation rights means protecting your relationship with your child. If your ex-spouse is violating your rights or if you wish to pursue changes in the custody agreement, consulting an experienced family law attorney is advisable.
