Emotions can run with intensity when you’re in the middle of a custody dispute. While you might be able to negotiate some sort of resolution with the child’s other parent, there’s still a good chance that the matter will have to be taken to court. And when it does, your child’s opinion could be significant, especially if they’re older. That might leave you on edge, especially if your child has voiced not wanting to spend time with you.
First, don’t accept defeat. There’s a chance that your child is confused, upset or being alienated from you. Instead, consider doing the following:
- Try to have an open, honest and calm conversation with your child about why they’re hesitant to spend time with you.
- Document interactions with your child as well as your conversations with the other parent.
- Seek counseling for your child and/or family therapy to help identify the issue and to repair the relationship you have with your child.
- Check to see if the other parent is willing to help foster a relationship and effective parenting time with your child.
- Consider a child custody evaluation so that you can gain a realistic understanding of what a neutral third-party thinks is in your child’s best interests.
- Find ways to make visit transitions as smooth as possible.
Don’t give up in your child custody dispute
The outcome of your child custody dispute can shape your child’s life for a long time to come. It can also dictate what the parameters of your relationship with them will look like moving forward. Therefore, you can’t just throw up a haphazard legal argument and hope that the chips will fall in your favor. Instead, you need to aggressively work to uncover evidence that’s favorable to your position and that positions you for the custody outcome that you want.