Child custody exchanges following a divorce can sometimes be contentious. However, it’s essential to remember that being amicable with your former spouse is always in the best interest of your children. We know this can be easier said than done in some situations. The good news is that your Court Order will include a specific custody and parenting time schedule to guide both parties through custody exchanges. Even so, sometimes those exchanges can still be emotional and difficult. That’s why the family law experts at Oxendine Law wanted to provide helpful tips for parents trying to navigate their future child custody exchanges.

Communicate With Your Child

The idea of a custody exchange can be a lot for children to process, especially in the earlier stages of a post-divorce world. Make sure you take the time to help your children understand the situation and soothe any anxieties they may have. After all, the wellness of the child should be both parents’ absolute highest priority. If at all possible, it helps to have this conversation together with both parents. However, if you feel that will lead to arguing and fighting in the presence of the children, then have the conversation alone. Keep it simple and reassure them that they are loved.

Understand The Different Types of Custody Exchanges

Every former couple is different. This is why each family’s parenting plan is unique and specifically designed to accommodate their level of comfort around their former spouse. In many cases, a child custody exchange may take place in a public place like a mall or supermarket (or even a police station if either party is concerned about their safety during the exchange). If the parties are comfortable, the exchanges may occur at each other’s residences to make things easy on the children. It is also common for the parent beginning their parenting time to pick the children up directly from school and return directly to school during the school year.

Keep a Cool Head

Don’t let yourself get baited into an argument or uncomfortable confrontation. If you feel something beginning to percolate, take a deep breath, and make a point to remain calm. Losing your temper will set a negative example for your child and give your ex a signal that they should react in kind. If you find yourself in a disagreement, keep it amicable and request for the other parent to put forth their concerns through email or some other writing. If needed, don’t forget that you can always defer your argument to your attorney to address on your behalf.

We fully understand that ​​co-parenting can be difficult. Here at Oxendine Law, our goal is to make potentially difficult situations like child custody and divorce less stressful for our clients. For more information, contact Oxendine Law at (770) 497-8688 today to schedule a meeting in-person, over the phone, or by video conference. Don’t forget to follow us on Facebook and Instagram for additional family law tips, news, and more helpful information.