When you don’t have full custody of your child, it can be hard to get used to seeing them less often than usual. You may not be sure what to do with your time or how to cope with their absence.
As a parent going through this, it’s important that you take care of yourself and are present for your child on the days you do have custody. While it can be lonesome and frustrating, it’s important for you to take steps to be happy and productive, so your child can learn from your successes.
Why is it important to take some time for yourself when you’re apart from your child?
When you have to be apart from your child, you should take the time to better yourself. Whether that’s taking up a new class, working longer hours or meeting new people, it’s important that you’re able to carry on and become a good role model for handling situations you may not be happy about.
Children often mimic their parents and their parents’ reactions about things. If you can show that you’re not happy about an arrangement but also show healthy ways to manage those feelings, your child will be better off in the future.
In most custody cases, there’s no way to guarantee that you’ll always see your child when you want but being able to cope is a skill that will pay off. Being able to focus on other things when you’re apart means that you’ll be able to give your child your full attention when you’re together again.
