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Checklist: Protect Your Child from Effects of Separation

By: Elizabeth Mugan BA/BSc, PGDipLaw, BVC, CIArb - Updated: 11 Feb 2024 |
 
Checklist Separation Divorce Child

The breakdown of a relationship can be tough for both you and your ex, but separation can have devastating effects on your children, too. As their dad, you can make choices to help them adjust to their new routine and to limit the effects of your separation. Here is a checklist of the ways to protect your loved ones.

1. Never Argue in Front of your Child

No one ever said that getting on with your ex would be easy but the worst thing you can do is Argue In Front Of Your Child. Your child is dealing with their own emotions and having to see two people they care about acting aggressively towards each other can do a lot of damage. They will feel upset and may think that they are responsible for their parents arguing. It is best that any confrontation is in private and that any time together is harmonious to help the transition be as smooth as possible.

2. Keep Communicating with your Child’s Mum

Contacting your child’s mother in a calming manner, making it clear that you want what is best for your child and being understanding and accommodating to their point of view will create better relationships between you and your child, as well as the child’s mother. If you struggle to have face-to-face contact, try using the phone, text, email or Skype. Skype, or other forms of video calling, are also a great way of seeing and speaking to your children if you cannot see them regularly.

3. Try to Agree How your Child will be Brought up

A lot of parents argue about the small things in life, which in the grand scale of things, doesn’t really matter. If you can agree on the really important developments in your child’s life, you can feel more secure in the fact that your child is in the best possible position. Remember, the important person in the equation is your child, and by compromising, your child will benefit. You should both trust that your ex will be equally as good a parent as you.

4. Keep your Promises

Never let your child down. If you want to be an active part of your child’s life, and a positive role model, you must stick to your word. If you always do what you say you will do and be where you say you will be, this will keep certainty in your child’s life. It will also help you to maintain a good relationship with the other parent, as they need to be able to trust you like you need to be able to trust them.

5. Be Flexible

It may be that you have a court order detailing your ‘times’ of contact and it can be very infuriating if your ex wants to change any of the details from one week to the next. But remember, life does throw us curveballs and as a main caregiver, you always need to remain flexible and be there for your child. Even if your ex doesn’t have a good reason for Changing Contact Arrangements, the more time you get to spend with your child, the better.

6. Respect your Ex’s Relationship with your Child

Do not use the children against their mum or encourage them to take sides. As you want to maintain a good relationship with your child, so does their mum. However much you disagree with your ex, your child will undoubtedly love them as much as they love you. If you try to score points against the other parent, you will find yourself losing out as your child learns to make their own decisions.

7. Make sure that your Children are Provided for

As you separate from a household to two separate providers, both of you may become poorer financially than you were together. Try to ensure that your child’s standard of living doesn’t change between households, so it creates a stable environment for them. If your ex is struggling to provide for your child, help them. You know this is for your child’s benefit at the end of the day. Seek advice on benefits if necessary (see our article on Benefits System and Shared Parenting on this site).

8. Get your Child to Open up and Talk about How they Feel

Children are easily affected but can just as easily hide their feelings. Let them know that it is okay for them to be upset and get them to talk to you about how they feel. If they struggle to open up face to face, suggest drawing or writing feelings down in a diary.

9. Don’t give up!

However hard it is, never give up! If you are struggling to get some co-operation from your ex, you should still fight. You child can either remember being let down or being without a dad, or they can remember all the good times they have with their mother AND father. Remember to seek advice if you need it and remember that you are not alone.

Check out the Separated Dads Forum... It's a great resource where you can ask for advice on topics including Child Access, Maintenance, CAFCASS, Fathers Rights, Court, Behaviour or simply to have a chat with other dads.

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cindybyrd - 15-Oct-22 @ 8:24 AM
My 4 year old daughter wants her mom and we've only been separated for 2 weeks. Never done that before when she's been gone
Dp - 11-Nov-20 @ 3:33 AM
Hi im a partner ( 7 months ) of a lady, we dont live together, she has two daughters 19 and 7 the 19 yr old has moved out of the home to live with dad in another town so she can attend the college there the 7 yr old has coped with the split ( 1 yr 7 months ago ) it seems quite well, but its only been the last month or so dad has stopped staying over at their house for visitation but that only started about 9 months ago after the initial split so somewhat confusing for her.She has regular visits with dad now at his house and she enjoys them, any way my question is she keeps asking if the family i.e my partner her dad and sister and herself can go on family outings, I feel this is sending her mixed signals again and I feel somewhat threatened so im asking as i dont want to influence my partners decision because of that but only the mixed signals feeling i have that might happen if the go for the sake of the 7 yr old I know it’s important for her to see mummy and daddy still being friends but surely that should be limited to maybe having a brew / catch up about the kids on a hand over. I only want whats best for the 7 yr old but I struggle to stay out of it as my partner wants to do it any advice would be appreciated
Chelsea - 18-Oct-20 @ 8:43 AM
What is your burning question about helping your kids cope emotionally with your divorce? Thanks
ND - 23-May-18 @ 7:57 AM
PatT - Your Question:
To the guys on this discussion - Do you think you would be willing to discuss your experiences for research we are doing for a documentary series on co-parenting?

Our Response:
If you want takers, you may also wish to put up a post via our Separated Dads Facebook page outlining the subject of your documentary.
SeparatedDads - 27-Mar-18 @ 3:59 PM
To the guys on this discussion - Do you think you would be willing to discuss your experiences for research we are doing for a documentary series on co-parenting?
PatT - 27-Mar-18 @ 3:31 PM
@Leo - your partner's child needs to feel secure, simple. This can be done when living across two houses, as long as both sets of parents make him feel loved and wanted. As soon as he feels this, he should stop acting up. But it's still early days and six months isn't a long time for the child to fully adjust.
Max3 - 18-Sep-17 @ 3:02 PM
My live-in partner left his ex and his child. Its been 6months since he left. The problem now is that the boy is affected by their separation, he tell to his teacher that his father is not longer residing at their house. There was even a homework, wherein the kids were ask to wrote his wish, and he wished that his father will go back home. He is also being to naughty at school, he involved in fights always. And his not performing well in school. Can you adviced us what is the best thing to do to help the kid??
Leo - 16-Sep-17 @ 8:31 AM
I left my wife over ten years ago, my children were 16 and 18, for another woman, since my father died a year ago, i have realised the marriage was a sham, and i have been " controlled" by people who have been secretly and slowly turning my own children against me, by reproducing, quite falsely, things that happened in my childhood, through my children, i have been encouraged to make mistakes , silly rather than illegal, perhaps morally wrong, but as i say, people are trying to make me feel guilty now, and are dragging up things from my past, even subliminal threats, all because of past events, not karma, spitefull people, playing god, and trying to blame me
None - 14-Feb-17 @ 7:33 PM
gav - Your Question:
I left my ex back in April, not on good terms at all, we came to an agreement at the start which she picked and the moment she mentioned she has a new man it then started to change, I needed to take the kids more, so I said yes as any dad would. Then when I ask her for a favour she always says no, so I then went back to the orginal setup which she wasn't happy with, I have caught her and one of my oldest friends, I now feel like I am being provoked into hitting him, and I know for a fact that he is addicted to cocaine and I don't want him near my kids. I asked my ex to keep him away from them but got no reply, I feel like I am being backed into a corner.

Our Response:
I am sorry to hear this and you are not on your own, this is a situation which many men go through. However, being rational and sensible about the situation is the only way you can win. Hitting him will gain you nothing at all and can only make the situation worse in the long term. At worst you could be charged with assault which will give your ex leverage to prevent access to your children. Therefore, you really need to step back from the situation - please see article: When Your Ex Gets a New Partner, here . We also have a Separated Dads Facebook page, I will post an edited version of your question and ask some of our dads who have been through the same thing to give you some advice. Please refer to the page for your answers. I hope this helps.
SeparatedDads - 30-Nov-15 @ 10:17 AM
I left my ex back in April, not on good terms at all, we came to an agreement at the start which she picked and the moment she mentioned she has a new man it then started to change, I needed to take the kids more, so I said yes as any dad would. Then when I ask her for a favour she always says no, so I then went back to the orginal setup which she wasn't happy with, I have caught her and one of my oldest friends, I now feel like I am being provoked into hitting him, and I know for a fact that he is addicted to cocaine and I don't want him near my kids. I asked my ex to keep him away from them but got no reply, I feel like I am being backed into a corner.
gav - 29-Nov-15 @ 1:35 AM
Been separated 3years in jan 15. Divorced now for a year, but still know further forward on finances. I have 17yr old son, who I rarely see, and continually suffer slanderers remarks from ex, that he hates me etc etc. I left her due to her always being angry and got us in a lot of debt. She left the house only 5 mths after i walked out and moved in with a rich man. Suddenly after a year she has left him and renting near by. She wants me to sell house now, I have paid 1000 pound /mth to joint debts and mortgage with no contributions from her. Met her today to agree something, but she just wants to force house sale and not pay back anything, this must be wrong... M Need help urgently
Mac - 26-Sep-14 @ 3:37 PM
I have recently gone through a separation, and I'm finding it difficult to keep the kids happy when they are staying over. It can take a couple of hours for them to relax and be happy in my house and they tend to clock watch. I usually have them on a Friday night and most of Saturday and although we go places and do things together they always seem reluctant to come over and are glad to go home. I just want them to be happy, but I'm struggling to make this happen.
KatyandJacksdad - 11-Mar-13 @ 10:49 AM
I am going through exactly the same process. I am currently allowed my three children at three different times on a school day so I see my eldest for only 1.5hrs per week. My ex is very abusive and angry but it is so important not to react in anyway, you have done with your arguing hence you are now apart so leave it behind. She will know exactly what to say and which buttons to push to hurt you. Just stick to asking for visit/contact and to supporting her. Please contact CLA and get expert help form contact orders right through to custody help.Do it sooner rather than later.
sepdadtoo - 14-Oct-11 @ 2:39 PM
My husband has two young children with his ex. The mother appears to be using the children in order to manipulate him. He feels weak because she punishes him by not allowing him to see or speak to them when she's angry. Any argument between her and him, and she tries to involve the kids by telling them, in front of their father, that he doesn't love them.When she speaks or sends emails, it is usually "we", meaning her and the kids as being inseparable, " You don't want us" , "You don't care about us"etc.What to do?
Hk - 31-Jul-11 @ 12:34 PM
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