In your ministry, it’s likely that you’ve observed single parents and kids who develop a lot of anxiety about the process of shuttling the children between homes. This stress will be amplified during the holiday season.
The switching hour, the time the kids switch between homes, can become less stressful if single parents work at making it normal. I’d like to give you a simple but effective suggestion that you can share with the single parents you minister to. I’ve seen it help dial back stress an anxiety related to the visitation process.
Ritual
It’s simple but effective– encourage single parents to develop a “welcoming ritual.” Parents need to develop something that is unique to their home environment. In other words, mom can develop one ritual while the dad develops something entirely different.
The single parent can begin the process of creating a ritual by asking their kids for ideas. I like the concept of having a steaming cup of hot chocolate waiting for the children when they arrive home from a visit with the other parent. Everyone can sit down at the table, drink their hot chocolate and take a moment to get to know each other again.
While it might seem strange to think of getting to know your kids again, one must remember that these kids have been living in a different home for the past week or weekend. They may have lived a different life style. In their other home, there might have been other children around. It might be they didn’t get mom or dad all to themselves but had to share her with a man and his children.
It is important for parents to give their children time to relax when they return home (whichever direction they are coming from). Encourage the single parent to talk about what he or she did while the children were away. The parent should not ask questions about the other parent but make small talk about life in their home. If the child chooses to talk about their time with the other parent, the single parent should listen without making comments other than, “That’s nice.” Or “I’m glad you had a good time.”
It is easy to fall into the trap of criticizing the other parent. “What? He took you Christmas tree shopping. Well if he’d pay the child support on time I might be able to buy a fake tree this year.” This will only serve to alienate the child and also it will close up the line of communication between the parent and child.
The holiday coming home ritual doesn’t need to be very long, just long enough for the kids get comfortable at this home. It should be
- Conducted at the same place each time.
- Something the kids can rely on to happen.
- Something the kids can help set up if they prefer.
- Something that is fun and relaxing.
What other rituals would you suggest single parents consider?
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Our family ritual is after Thanksgiving dinner we get our our Christmas tree and Nativity scene. Usually these are happy times.
Vickie, good ritual
We always meet at the same place, it’s hours of driving for both of us. If I like you I will pick on ya, (my kids know this and so does the X) I started in a light hearted way of picking at him. (yay he got it!) Lots of laughs and fun for the swap! We have stood around for an hour just having a good time! ( I feel it is VERY important to have fun as a family all together at the same time) The side effect, I feel so much better leaving them laughing, than having to encourage them that they will have a good time.
Teresa, what a unique way to handle the switching. Thanks for sharing.
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We used to be very structured in the early days but the best way to make things smoother is try and get on with your Ex. I know often easier said than done, but it takes the stress out for everyone. 5 years on we are more like old friends now and consequently the handover has become no big deal…
Thank you for sharing. Good to point out that getting into a routine when possible is important
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