One of the most challenging things for children to handle when their parents split up is the time when they have to switch from one parent’s home to the other. Those transition days are emotionally challenging because they’re sad about leaving one parent but happy about getting to spend time with the other parent.
With the emotional trauma that comes with these days, children don’t need any extra stress. It’s up to the parents to ensure that the children can thrive despite the divorce. If you’re in this position with your children, these tips may help you to make these days as easy as possible for them.
Keep the transition calm
Children need to know that they don’t have to worry about their parents arguing during these transitions. Any contentious issues should be discussed in private, not when the children are around. The sole focus should be ensuring they’re safely moved from one parent to the other.
Give the children time to adjust
It might be tempting to plan activities for the first night the kids are with you. Instead, focus on giving them time to adjust to the change of homes. This doesn’t mean you can’t use the night to make memories, but try to keep things relaxed. For example, have pizza for dinner while watching a movie.
It may behoove everyone involved to have the parenting plan set early after the split. Working with someone who can assist with this might be beneficial since they can help you to get everything together so that the plan is set in a way that benefits the children.