How to Share Long Distance Custody

Long distance custody arrangements aren't rare. The children's lives have no doubt been disrupted by the divorce. Maintaining a sense of normalcy while one parent lives far away can be exhausting. Here are some suggestions to help ease the transition and keep the long distance custody arrangements running smoothly.

Instructions

1. Decide which residence the children will be living at during the school year if the children are old enough to be in school. If one parent is still living in the house that the children were living in at the time of divorce, they may want to consider custody during the school year.

2. Send the children to the long distance parent during summer vacation, spring break or winter break. Anytime there is an extended break from school that the children are able to travel can be spent with the other parent. The specifics will be drafted in the custody agreement.

3. Allow the children frequent contact with the long distance parent. It's important to stay connected so that the visits with each parents are meaningful and comfortable. Emails, phone calls and letters are all easily managed on a daily basis and will help the children remain connected to whichever parent is long distance at the time.

4. Call on each other as parents to continue parenting the children together. Despite the distance between you as parents, you can still make important decisions regarding your children together. Each parent has their own strengths. Play off of each other so that your children get the full benefit of your love and parenting.