You know that divorce is not the end of your relationship with your children. You still get to see them half of the time. The other half of the time, they live with your ex.
What worries you, though, is that you do not get to see them as often as you’d like. You fear the relationship may weaken over time. If so, here are some tips to help you bond with your kids, making the most of the time that you do have:
- Give them time and attention. Don’t just “watch” them. Engage with them. Show them that they are important to you and that you care about their lives.
- Remember the value of physical interactions. Some experts advise trying to hug children a dozen times every day.
- Stay off of your phone. Turn off the TV. There is a place for both, but make sure that some of the time you spend with your kids is technology-free.
- If you have multiple kids, try to give each one some time alone with you. This one-on-one time gives them a chance to interact with you in a new way.
- Listen to your children. Again, you want to show them that they matter. You do not want every conversation to simply be you telling them what they need to do.
- Slow down. Appreciate the time you do spend together. Try to be positive and get the most out of every hour, rather than lamenting that you do not have more.
As you move forward, it’s also important to make sure you understand your child custody rights in Florida.