Tips for Having a Successful Visit

Tips for the Visiting Parent

• Arrive on time

• Try to be natural and relaxed

• Focus on the relationship with your child/ren

• You don’t have to spend a lot of money to have a nice visit. You can do arts and crafts, play board games, paint fingernails, talk, or shoot hoops.

• Ask your children where they might want to visit. You might be surprised at what their evolving interests are! Here are a few ideas:

  • Park

  • Playground

  • Museum

  • Nature Center

  • Miniature Golf

  • Painting, Crafts

  • Sidewalk Chalk

  • Make music

  • Ballgame

  • Restaurant

  • Mall

  • Indoor play place

• When the visit is over, remain upbeat and quick

  • Remember SV Guidelines and Neutrality

Tips for Custodial Parent

• Remain positive about visit as day/ time approaches

• Explain to the child/ren where and when the visits will happen

• Do not drill your child/ren about the visit

• Remain positive at the conclusion of the visit

• If your child/ren want to discuss the visit, let them set the tone and pace

• Avoid negative comments or sarcasm

  • Instead, say things like, “I’m happy you had fun,” or “Wow, that’s neat!”