Courts order supervised visitation when they acknowledge that the child needs both parents but do not trust the noncustodial parent to be alone with the child. Below are tips to improve your supervised visitation experience with your child.
Assume the Supervisor Is Taking Notes
The supervisor is there to protect the child's best interest. Assume that the supervisor is taking note of everything and reporting it to the relevant authorities. The supervisor will note your activities and arrival time (that is, whether you are late).
The supervisor's notes will determine your future interactions with the child. For example, positive notes on your interactions with the child may strengthen your claim for unsupervised visitation in the future.
Watch Your Mouth
Do not spend visitation time talking to the child about the other parent. Use the opportunity to interact and enjoy time with the child. Talking ill about the other parent might alienate the child from the parent, and the child needs you both. Let the child understand that divorce doesn't mean either parent is bad.
Lean on Others
You might be frustrated about the visitation arrangements, but you shouldn't let it show during the visitation. Maybe you don't want a supervised visitation, the scheduling doesn't work for you, or the proposed pick-up and drop-off points are horrendous.
Take it all in the chin when with the child. Find others to lean on and vent out your frustrations. Your friends, family members, and a therapist can help. That way, you don't have to vent out to the child.
Commit to and Document the Schedule
Follow the visitation requirements closely. Arrive early, end the visitation as required, and don't exceed the prescribed geographical limits. Factor in issues that might delay your arrival, such as traffic, so the supervisor doesn't think you are making up excuses when you arrive late. Good behavior on supervised visits may lead to unsupervised visits.
Do not make unannounced changes to the schedule even if you encounter unexpected difficulties. Inform the other parent and supervisor about your circumstances. For example, don't take the child home if the other parent knows that the child will be spending time in the park with you.
Talk to a family lawyer if you need to change any of the terms in your custody and visitation order. A lawyer can also help you petition for unsupervised visitation. Do not alter the court's orders without its express permission.
For more info, contact a local family law attorney.
Share24 February 2023
Family attorneys are hired to help families through all sorts of things. Everything from divorce, child custody and adoption can be handled by a family attorney. If you are planning to adopt a child, you will need an attorney to help ensure that everything goes well. There are so many documents that need to filed, inspections to be performed and approvals to receive. This blog will cover all different kinds of cases and situations that a family attorney may be able to help your family with. Everything from the good to the bad will be discussed right here on my blog.
