When parents divorce, it usually means that one parent will move out of the family home and into a new place. Other than in exceptional circumstances, that parent will still have visitation rights to their child.
Moving into a new place can be daunting for an adult, let alone a child. You may be worried about how they will find your new place and whether or not it will feel like home. Fortunately, there are steps that you can take to help your new place feel homely and comfortable for them. Here are a few things to consider.
Let them have an input
One great way to help your child feel at home is to let them have some input into its layout. This could mean allowing them to help with decorating or letting them help with choosing some household items. Or, you could let them have full control over how their room will look. By allowing your child to have this kind of input, your new place should feel like home in no time.
Make handovers easy
At some point, you’ll have to hand your child back over to the other parent. This can work in several different ways. If you and your co-parent are on good terms, then they can collect the child. Or, you can drop the child off once your assigned visiting time is over. What matters most is that handovers are smooth. Ideally, your child should leave your place knowing that they’ll be coming back soon and that they can call you if they need to. In turn, this is how things should work for your co-parent.
Settling into a new home can take time for both you and your child, but you can get there. A sound parenting plan will help to ease this transition. If you want to know more about your parental rights, it will be beneficial to seek legal guidance.