When couples split up, one of them may move to another location. This is a way for them to have a fresh start, but it can complicate things if they share children with their ex. Parents who don’t live in the same area will have to rely on long-distance co-parenting to raise the children.
Learning how to live with their parents’ divorce and with one parent moving away can be difficult for a child. These tips may help you to make the situation a little easier for them.
Plan for virtual visits
Virtual visits, which can take place via phone calls, text messages, video chats or other electronic methods, can help to build and maintain the parent-child relationship over the miles. These visits should happen at a time that’s convenient for the children, even if it’s inconvenient for the parents. You can do things like reading stories, help with homework, play games or just talk during these visits.
Make time for in-person visits
In-person visits are critical. While you may have the children with you when they’re on school breaks, you may need to make some trips to see them in between. In many cases, it’s easier for a parent to schedule time to go to the children so the kids don’t have to miss school.
Making long-distance co-parenting work can be challenging, but it’s much easier when the parents can work as a team to do what’s best for the children. Getting the parenting plan together quickly sets the ground rules that will govern the parenting relationship and the parenting time schedule. It may be best to work with someone familiar with long-distance co-parenting to get everything set up in the best manner for the children.