On behalf of Stange Law Firm, PC posted in Child Custody on Friday, April 3, 2020.
The key to connecting with children is spending quality time together. This does not have to end for fathers simply because they got divorced. They may have less overall time with the children, as they split it with their ex, but they can still focus on quality time when they are together.
One big thing they should do is to set adult concerns and obligations aside. Errands can wait. Work can wait. They don’t have to be productive and efficient 100% of the time. They need to slow down and allow themselves to just have fun. Children love doing activities that don’t accomplish anything, just for the pure enjoyment of them. Fathers who embrace that mindset of childlike fun can really connect with their kids.
Another key point is planning ahead. Divorced fathers have limited time, and so deciding what to do once they are with their children eats into that time. Instead, they need to plan ahead, pick fun activities, and set up events for them and the child to do together. This gives the child something to look forward to and means that even a short visit can be meaningful and exciting. No time is wasted and the two have a chance to connect and enjoy each other’s company. That’s what this time is all about, after all.
Fathers must remember that quality is more important than quantity. They don’t need to worry about sharing time with the kids when they make the most of the time they have. This mindset can help guide their planning when getting divorced and working out the legal details.
