Keeping Healthy Contact with Children after Divorce
Keeping Healthy Contact with Children after Divorce
In an ideal situation, when a couple divorces, the first and only thing on their mind is what is best for the children. Unfortunately this is not always the case. There may be a variety of reasons for the dissolution of the marriage and concern about the children's contact later on with the non custodial parent.
Substance Abuse
The custodial parent may have concerns that the non custodial parent is using drugs or alcohol when they are spending visitation time with the children. This is a very real concern for many parents as perhaps this is the reason they divorced in the first place. If you have concerns such as these then you must report your fears to the court so as to make your feelings known. The court may appoint that visits must be supervised and contact can only be made at contact centres.
Domestic Violence
Another case in point where one parent fears for the safety and well being of their children is in cases of domestic violence. Even if violence was inflicted only upon the spouse and not the children, the victimized spouse will have a very real and justified fear that the non custodial parent might lose their temper and things can quickly get out of control. This is another case where visitation at a contact centre makes the most sense. If you fear your ex spouse will kidnap the child or harm them for any reason, then looking into the services of a contact centre makes the most sense in order to keep a relationship with the non custodial parent.
What is the Contact Centre?
A contact centre is where non custodial parents can resume their relationship with their children when there are concerns about the safety and welfare of the children. Because Canada wants to encourage a continuing relationship with both parents, the contact centre can be used in the interim until unsupervised contact is once again deemed possible.
At a contact centre the absent parent can mingle freely with supervision consisting of a responsible adult on the premises in case of trouble. The custodial parent is not the one that is supervising nor is any family member or friend. Both parents can rest assured that they will be treated fairly and all contact will be monitored.
Contact centres are typically phased out as the non custodial parent for whatever reason begins to prove themselves worthy of having unsupervised visits with their children once again. Contact centres are fully equipped to care for children of all ages as they include a play area for older kids and a nappy changing area for toddlers and infants.
Children need both their parents and when divorce rips a family apart often it is the children that suffer the most. Many parents use their children as a weapon against their ex spouse and not only is that unfair to the children and the ex spouse, it is a form of emotional manipulation that should never be allowed.