After informing your child that you are dissolving your marriage, one of their major concerns might be where they will live, especially if they are old enough to know divorce means having two homes. Therefore, once you and your co-parent have a custody schedule, it’s important to help your child understand it.
Here is how you can you can simplify things for your child when discussing your custody schedule:
Reassure them of your love
Start the conversation by reassuring your child that they are loved by both parents and that this will not change now that they have two homes. Let them know you enjoy spending time with them and that they belong to both homes.
Use simple terms
It helps to use simple language when talking about your custody schedule with your child. Terms, such as “mommy days” and “daddy days,” are kid-friendly. Legal terms like “visitation” and “custody” can be confusing.
Use visuals
Consider using a calendar with marked days to help your child know when they will be at each house. Use different colors for each parent. You can also use magnets with your pictures on the calendar. It will be beneficial to have your child mark days of certain weeks by themselves as an exercise. You can have the color-coded calendars on the fridge in each home.
Remind them they can speak to both parents at any time
Your child may assume they cannot contact the parent they are not with until an exchange happens. So, actively remind them that they can speak to both of you at any time.
Discussing your custody schedule can be easier when you use practical tips. Learn more about other ways to protect your child’s interests after a divorce.