One of the first decisions that’s usually made when people decide to divorce is who will move out of the home. When you have children, the person who moves will have an added challenge. They will have to find ways to make the children feel comfortable at their house after they move.
The children have a lot of changes to deal with when their parents divorce. Giving them consistency between both homes may be ideal, but this can be challenging. Besides that, there are several things you can do that might make them feel more at home at your house.
Plan time for them to adjust
The day when children switch homes is usually filled with emotions for the child. When possible, plan time for them to adjust to being at your home instead of making big plans for that evening. Something simple like having an ice cream sundae while you watch a movie together might be beneficial.
Give them a space to make their own
Ideally, your child will have necessities at both homes so they don’t have to try to pack everything up when they move back and forth. Give them a dedicated space to keep those belongings and others that they want to leave at your house. Your goal is to show them that they actually live at your home, even if they aren’t there as much as they are at the other parent’s house.
It may also be beneficial to help them understand when they’re going to switch homes again, especially if your child is younger. Having the parenting plan and parenting time schedule set can ensure both parents are on the same page, which will make the situation less stressful for everyone involved, including the children.
