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Put your children's welfare ahead of your conflict with former spouse.
Avoid involving your children in any conflict with your former spouse.
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Remember that children need two parents. Help your children maintain a
positive relationship with their other parent. Give them "permission" to
love that parent.
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Show respect for the other parent. Do not make derogatory remarks to or
about that person in front of the children.
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Teach your children about being a responsible adult by honoring your
time-sharing schedule. Always notify the other parent if you will be late or
cannot spend time with the children. Children may view missed visits
(especially without notification) as rejection.
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If you are the non-custodial parent, do not fill every minute with the
children with special activities. They need simple "at-home" time with you.
They don't need constant entertainment. You are not a babysitter, so don't
act like one.
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Do not use the children as messengers or spies. Don't pump them for
information about the other parent.
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Strive for agreement on major decisions about your child's welfare and
discipline so that you are not undermining the other parent.
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Use common sense in exercising your custodial rights. Follow the old
adage "Don't make a mountain out of a molehill" and follow the Golden rule
"Do unto others as you would have them do unto you."
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Don't send or collect child support through the children.
