How to Reintroduce an Absent Parent After Separation

Parents going through a separation need to ensure that a consistent relationship is maintained between each other, but also that a relationship is maintained with the children. Parents that leave the child’s life can disrupt the child’s life and make it difficult to reintegrate.

In cases where one parent has been absent, the other may have moved on to create a new family dynamic. New partners and a new life may have been introduced to the child and a steady balance developed. If this occurs, the absent parent may create the feeling of disruption in the child. The feelings that occur in this situation can create an undesirable situation of parental separation.

Extensive studies have shown that children fare better when a secure attachment has been formed with both parents. For parents facing separation, it’s important to realize that the child continues to need both parents, so long as the child is safe with both parents. If a parent has been absent from the child’s life, it can be difficult for the parents to come together to reach a solution. If the parents are unable to come an agreement, they may want to consider the services provided by an assessor.

Sometimes, there are certain conditions placed on the parent re-entering the child’s life. These may include:

• Parents with a history of alcohol or drug use must refrain from substances
• Drug testing for parents
• Required counselling sessions
• Anger management for parents suffering from anger issues
• Parenting courses to further parenting education

Once the conditions have been met, it’s important for the parents to regain the trust of the child they’ve been absent from, and develop the relationship. Some of the methods parents can use to develop the relationship include:

Counselling sessions can be used to counsel the absent parent about the process of re-entering the child’s life, or couples counselling can be used to help the couple reach a decision that’s best for the child.

Strategies can be developed to make the process as stress-free as possible. The last step includes the child meeting with the parent and the counselor before the absent parent meets with the child alone. This guided counseling can help to address any issues and reduce the chances of future issues developing.

The point is not to stop the absent parent from seeing the child, but to find a way to reintroduce the parent to the child in a way that is going to be safe and structured for the child or children involved in the process.

Separation stress is a traumatic time in your life. Let one of our experienced Toronto Divorce Lawyers help with your family law needs.