How to Keep in Touch With Your Child if You Are the Non-Custodial Parent

If you lose custody of your child for any reason, you still should maintain your bonds unless a court prohibits it. You can keep in touch with your child in a way that is nurturing.

Instructions

Difficulty: Moderately Challenging

1. Stay in constant communication with the guardian. Make sure the guardian knows where to reach you when needed. Exchange all contact information, including cell phone numbers and email addresses. Include contact information for your job.
2. Schedule a day and time to call your child regularly. Make sure to keep to it. Make the custodial parent or guardian aware of these calls. This is common courtesy. If the court has dictated when you should call your child, comply with the judge's orders.
3. Write letters to your child regularly, using either postal mail or email.
4. If you are allowed visitations, show up on time for every one of them. Call if you are going to be delayed and explain why. Make the visitation as fun and exciting as possible. Keep the discussions healthy; avoid discussing anything that might hurt your child's feelings. Never speak negatively of the other parent, even if your former partner is speaking ill of you. Make the visit memorable, so that the child will anticipate the next one. Do something different and exciting. End the visitation with a tight hug and a kiss. Do not show how sad you are when you part ways. You want the child to leave happy.
5. Remember special occasions, like your child's birthday or your own. Celebrate them together if possible. Send a greeting card and gift. Call on that day if you cannot visit. Schedule another special day to celebrate.
6. If possible, be a part of your child's daily life. Be there for the next baseball game or that piano recital. Praise their efforts no matter the results.

Tips & Warnings

• Always put your child's best interest first.
• Do not be tempted to break the law. There have been numerous cases of abductions committed by the non-custodial parent. Once caught, you will lose whatever visitations you may have and you may not be even allowed to get in contact with your child. Worst, you could spend a long time behind bars.