Every aspect of a child’s life changes when their parents go through a divorce. They’re faced with dealing with situations that they wouldn’t have had to deal with otherwise. The reality of living between two homes is one of those.
For some children, the day when they go from one home to the other is one of the most stressful days that they have to endure. The logistics of this may feel like routine to the parents, but for kids, this can be a very disruptive day. While every child is different, there are certain things that may help them to feel more secure on transition days. Consider these tips to determine if they will help your child.
Prepare the children
Children usually like to have a countdown to when they’re going to have to switch homes. Finding ways to prepare your children for this may be beneficial. Older children may just have to set an alert on their phone or keep track of the time on their own. Younger children may do better if the parents count down with them or give them a countdown calendar to follow along with.
Keep the transfer relaxed
Transfer day is hard enough on children because they often feel sad that they are leaving one parent, but happy that they are going to get to spend time with the other parent. They may also worry about their parents arguing when they meet up. You and your ex should commit to keeping transfer days relaxed. This isn’t the time to talk about contentious matters.
Having the time, location, and other important information about transfer day set in the parenting plan can help to keep the stress level low for everyone involved. There are also other considerations and guidelines that you’ll need to include in the parenting plan. It would be best to work with someone who understands your circumstances and can assist you with getting everything set.
