Children are often the losers when their parents separate. They are deprived of full time guidance and direction from two parents. The moral, spiritual and character growth of your children may consequently suffer.
Although there may be bitterness between you, it should not be inflicted upon your children. Every child needs an image of two good parents. Your conduct with your children in the future will be very helpful to them. Please follow through with these simple suggestions:
1. Leave your children free to love and respect both parents. Discussing the short comings of the other parents with the children can be extremely harmful to them.
2. Your visitation is for and with your children. Be discrete; don’t include a member of the opposite sex with whom you may be involved in your visits.
3. Do not use visitations as an excuse to continue arguments with the other parent.
4. Do not visit your children if you are intoxicated.
5. Visit children at reasonable hours.
6. Notify the other parent as soon as possible if you are unable to keep your visit, as this is unfair to the children who will be expecting you. Be adults and work out another reasonable time.
7. Make your visits as pleasant as possible with your children by showing your interest in their activities and avoiding question regarding the activities of the other parent. Do not make promises to them that you cannot keep.
8. The parent having physical custody must prepare the children for the visit and have them available at the agreed upon time.
9. If one parent’s plan for the children conflicts with the other’s visitation and they are for the best interest of the children, be adults and work this out together.
10. ALWAYS WORK FOR THE WELL BEING, HEALTH, HAPPINESS AND SAFETY OF YOUR CHILDREN.
11. If the matter of visitation comes before the court, again, and you have not abided by the above suggestions, your custody and visitation rights may be jeopardized.