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Making the Most of Supervised Visitation
Preparing Children for Supervised Visitation
Preparing Children for Supervised Visitation
Making the Most of Supervised Visitation
From: our family wizard
Kids want to have healthy, loving relationships with both of their parents, but separation or divorce often takes a toll on these connections. One of the ways that it does so is by changing the amount of time that parents and children spend together.
In some of these cases, third-party supervision requirements dramatically alter the time one parent spends with their children. Frequently enforced by court order, supervised visitation, also known as supervised parenting time, involves scheduled appointments for parent-child contact that will be monitored in a safe environment.
When is supervised parenting time required?
Judges will order supervised visitation/parenting time when they believe it is in the best interests of the children involved.
It is often mandated in situations where a parent's past behavior puts a child's safety into question. Circumstances for which supervision might be ordered include past allegations of violence or abuse, either toward the other parent or child, substance abuse, or neglect.
While it may place certain restrictions on how a parent and child can spend their time together, supervised parenting time still allows parents to foster relationships with their children.
Types of supervised visitation
Depending on the situation, different types of supervised visitation may be ordered. Supervised visitation can take place by way of physical meetings between parent and child, group visits where more than one parent-child meeting is taking place at one time, or monitored phone or video conversations.
The type of contact ordered in each situation will be chosen based on what is the best interests of the child. If you are granted physical visits for your parenting time, these may take place in a specified facility that offers such services or in a location that you, your co-parent, and the court agree upon.
Like any other topic related to child custody, the laws surrounding these issues vary from state to state. Each state offers various supervised visitation facilities and has certified professionals in this field working with families to monitor visits.
Preparing yourself for supervised visitation
Getting ready to attend a supervised visitation appointment requires both mental and physical preparation.
Whether or not you agree with the supervision requirement, having to see your child on a strict schedule under the supervision of a possible stranger can be mentally exhausting. However, the best thing you can do for yourself and your child is to commit to making the most out of your time together.
Commit to the schedule
Dedicate yourself to attending each scheduled visit and always being on time.
- Document your schedule, preferably in a place to which both you and your child's other parent have access.
- Factor in commute time. Make sure you have enough time before each appointment to arrive on time.
- Give yourself some breathing time afterward, if possible. Having important appointments or meetings scheduled immediately after your supervised parenting time can make that time with your child feel rushed and stressful.
- Keep changes to an absolute minimum, and make sure that when you absolutely have to change the schedule that you give your child's other parent notice well in advance.
Understand supervised visitation rules
If your family is using a supervised visitation center for your parenting time, do your research beforehand and understand the facility's rules and guidelines.
Rules may include strict timelines for when both the custodial and non-custodial parents arrive and depart, fees for late arrivals, guidelines for conduct and behavior, and other rules. Check your visitation center's website or contact them directly for guidelines.
Get your head in the game
Before each visitation, get yourself ready to focus on your child. It may be simpler said than done, but try not to allow outside worries impact your time with your child.
Whether by taking five minutes before your parenting time to listen to your favorite music or using a calming app for some quick relaxation, clear your mind so you can focus all of your attention on your child.
Supervised visitation should be an enjoyable experience for you and your child, and playing games and doing crafts are just some of the activities you may be able to do together. Think about your child's interests, and find one or more that you also enjoy and can use to bond over.
Also, you might think of something that you and your child can look forward to doing together during each visit. If your child likes listening to stories, choose a book with chapters so that you can both enjoy reading a little more of the story on each visit. If your child likes art or putting things together, choose a craft or project that you can work on a little bit each time you're together.
Preparing Children for Supervised Visitation
Preparing Children for Supervised Visitation
Preparing Children for Supervised Visitation
As a parent whose child attends supervised visitation with their other parent, it is equally important for you to participate by way of getting your child ready to spend time with their other parent.
Talk about these visits beforehand, and get them marked on a calendar that your child has access to. This will help keep them aware of when they'll next see their other parent and how frequently.
More than just talking about when they'll happen, encourage your child to look forward to them. Even if you have certain negative feelings about your co-parent, support your child in their efforts to build a relationship with their other parent by speaking positively about their upcoming time together.
When your child leaves a supervised visitation session, be prepared to let your child give you as much information as they want to about it. Don't interview them about the visit; instead, allow them to say as much as they want.
SAFE Custody Exchanges
Preparing Children for Supervised Visitation
SAFE Custody Exchanges
What to expect: Our neutral, professional monitors will facilitate the exchange in a supervised setting. Parents use separate doors and waiting rooms. Our building is safe, private, and clean. The space in which the exchange will take place is full of toys and books to make your little one feel at home during the exchange. Parents will not see each other during this time. Supervised exchanges protect parents from each other and prevent the child from witnessing conflict.