Some suggested guidelines for parents after divorce include:

• Put your children's welfare ahead of your conflict with former spouse. Avoid involving your children in any conflict with your former spouse.
• Remember that children need two parents. Help your children maintain a positive relationship with their other parent. Give them "permission" to love that parent.
• Show respect for the other parent. Do not make derogatory remarks to or about that person in front of the children.
• Teach your children about being a responsible adult by honoring your time-sharing schedule. Always notify the other parent if you will be late or cannot spend time with the children. Children may view missed visits (especially without notification) as rejection.
• If you are the non-custodial parent, do not fill every minute with the children with special activities. They need simple "at-home" time with you. They don't need constant entertainment. You are not a babysitter, so don't act like one.
• Do not use the children as messengers or spies. Don't pump them for information about the other parent.
• Strive for agreement on major decisions about your child's welfare and discipline so that you are not undermining the other parent.
• Use common sense in exercising your custodial rights. Follow the old adage "Don't make a mountain out of a molehill" and follow the Golden rule "Do unto others as you would have them do unto you."
• Don't send or collect child support through the children.

Return to our main Custody & Visitation page to learn more about child custody, visitation and parenting schedules