For many families, divorce often means that one parent has to move out of the family home. If this is the case for you, and you have young children, then you might be worried about how they’ll transition between two homes.
Ideally, you want this transition to be seamless, but it can take a bit of time and effort to make this happen. Outlined below are some tips on helping your children feel more comfortable in your new home.
Make space for their belongings
If your children are having to pack up a bag or suitcase every time they visit, this can make visiting you a bit more stressful. A home is a place where you can just arrive and feel settled instantly. By having some of their clothes and favorite toys kept at your place, they won’t feel like a visitor. When they have to leave, they know that the next time they come back, everything will be in its place. There will also be no need for them to pack before setting off, which minimizes disruptions.
Try and work together with your spouse
Whether you’ve come up with a parenting plan between you, or the court has settled custody matters, the details of these arrangements must be honored. This means that both you and your former spouse have a duty to stick to a schedule. When it’s your co-parent’s time with the children, make sure you don’t keep them waiting. They should also return this courtesy to you. If extenuating circumstances come up and cause delays, then it’s vital to communicate with one another in plenty of time. Conflict can make younger children feel anxious and unsettled.
It can take time to get into a routine after divorce, but children are perfectly able to thrive when co-parents make it work. If you’re having child-custody related issues, it may be in your best interests to seek legal guidance and get any disputes resolved in a timely manner.
