Your child may refuse to go to the other parent’s house for different reasons, perhaps they have not yet made friends in the new neighborhood or are tired of moving between two homes. This can be challenging because while you want your child to be happy, you have a custody order to uphold.
So, what can you do in such a situation?
Talk to them
When your child tells you they don’t want to go to the other parent’s house, ask questions and listen to their responses attentively. They may have an unjustified reason, such as they want to hang out with their friends that weekend, or a justified one, for example, the other parent has become or their new partner is abusive.
Note that even if the reason provided constitutes a safety concern, you can’t cancel a visitation. Talking to your child allows you to determine the best way forward.
Further, regardless of the reason, you should acknowledge their feelings. They should know you heard their concerns and will look for an appropriate solution.
Contact your co-parent
After gathering adequate information from your child, notify the other parent. Let them know the reasons provided by your child. Consider encouraging your co-parent to talk to your child as well to address the issue directly.
Talking to your co-parent may result in conflicts, especially when there is a deep distrust between you. They may suspect everything you say. Thus, you should be extra careful. Additionally, use a communication platform that can be easily documented, such as email or text.
If your child continues to refuse to see the other parent even after holding a family conference and coming up with solutions, it may be time to seek legal guidance to make informed decisions.
