One of the top priorities for parents who are long distance parenting during or after a divorce is staying involved in the child’s life. While this may be more difficult from far away, it is possible to do and have a successful relationship with your child.
There are a number of ways that you can stay actively involved in your child’s life. Here are a few.
- Utilize technology to be present in their big achievements. If you know your child is going to have an important event or activity coming up, technology can allow you to be involved without actually being there. For example, if your child has a recital or game coming up, have your ex spouse record the event or Facetime you while it is happening. This way, you’re not just hearing about the event beforehand or afterward, you’re actually ‘there’ in real time. Another way to be involved in this event is to talk with your child about their practices and feelings regarding the upcoming performance. This will not only help grow their excitement for the event, it gives you something to bond over.
- Work with them toward a common goal. Working toward a common goal with your child can help you stay involved in their life and help you share something together. One example of this is joining them on a favorite activity, such as reading together over video chat or doing a workout together if they are a bit older. Activities not only help both of you improve yourselves, it gives you quality time together.
- Make consistent plans to come and visit. While technology can bond us, there is nothing like having an in person visit to look forward to with a parent, especially if they aren’t present physically for most of the time. If you’re financially able to, making consistent trips to visit your child in person will go a long way toward maintaining your bond. Even if it’s for a date in the future due to COVID-19 or it’s regularly only once a year, that time can mean everything for you and your child and give you both something to look forward to.
- Keep the line of communication open. As a divorced parent who already has distance against them, one of the most important things is to keep the line of communication open with your child. This helps your child feel safe in coming to you if they need to and grows a healthy bond. This also means sharing parts of your life with your child, age appropriately of course. Keeping this line of communication open on your end by sharing aspects of your life with them helps build mutual interest and connection over time. Perhaps you went for a walk in the park today or hit a personal goal. Your child, based on their age, may enjoy hearing about this, as it helps them feel a part of your life too and builds a bond that will grow as they get older.
If you’re going through a divorce and will potentially be long distance parenting, Simon Law Group can help you through the divorce process. We understand how important it is to stay actively involved in your child’s life, even from a distance. Court protections can ensure that even far away, you have your right to parenting time respected, including staying in touch through phone and video calls. For more information, contact us.
