Regardless of the age of your kid(s), if you are going through a divorce, you need to explain custody to them. They need to understand how they will be moving between the two homes and what will or not change. So, how do you handle such a conversation?
Below are four tips to help you:
1. Define terms
You should be ready to define different terms for your child. These include custody, visitation, exchange days and so forth. You should also help your child understand your form of custody, be it joint custody, sole custody, etc.
2. Have a schedule
Chances are you didn’t have a custody schedule when you informed your child about the divorce. Thus, before you talk to them about custody, consider having a schedule. You and the other parent should work together to create one. Explaining custody without a schedule at hand can be confusing for your kid.
3. Explain what will change
Inform your child of the changes to expect. Explain to them how they will move between the two homes, how school pick-ups and drop-offs will be handled, how they will be going on vacations and so on.
4. Tell them what won’t change
Your child may be concerned about losing everything they know. That’s why it’s recommended to talk to them about things that will not change when discussing custody. Let them know despite the family looking different currently, you are still a family. Further, inform them they belong to both homes and will be loved equally.
You and the other parent should also consider not changing your kid’s routines, including diet, chores, and bedtime, among others, for consistency, which can be crucial in helping them cope with their new life.
Child custody is a crucial element when going through a divorce. Get adequate information about it to make informed decisions for your family.
