Changeovers can undoubtedly be challenging, particularly for the children involved. It’s essential that these transitions are smooth, free of conflict, and safe for everyone every single time. The experience of changeovers can evolve and varies from one family to another. Some parents engage in friendly chats and updates, while others may not communicate at all.
Here are some helpful tips Lilly Pilly recommended to ensure changeovers are seamless and hostile free, especially for the kids:
- Acknowledge the other parent with a simple greeting; it doesn’t need to go beyond that.
- If you engage in conversation during the changeover, focus solely on the positive experiences you shared with your child, such as, “We had a fantastic time feeding the horses!”
- Share any happy news or milestones that have occurred, like awards or achievements.
- Ask your child about their weekend or time spent with the other parent in a genuine, positive manner, for example, “Did you have fun with mummy?”
- Encourage your child to talk about their experiences with the other parent without any negative comments; simply listen and add supportive remarks, like, “That sounds like a lot of fun!”
- Don’t initiate discussions related to problems, schedule changes, or other difficulties during the changeover. save those conversations for a more appropriate time away from the children.
- Don’t interrogate your child about what happened or didn’t happen at the other parent’s home.
- Never speak negatively about the other parent.
While there are appropriate times and places for certain discussions with your co-parent and children, it’s crucial to ensure that changeovers remain a positive experience.
