Is Your Teen Refusing To Follow The Custody Arrangement? 3 Steps To Take When Your Child Doesn't Want To Visit The Other Parent
If you and your ex share custody of your children, but one of your children has decided that they no longer wish to adhere to the visitation schedule, you may have a fight on your hands. This is particularly true if your teenager has decided that they're old enough to make their own rules. The one thing you need to remember is that you can't simply let your child decide they're not going to follow the custody arrangements. If your teen is playing hardball, it's time to take matters into your own hands. Here are some tips that will help you get to the bottom of your teen's behavior.
Look at Your Own Behavior
When it comes to problems with custody arrangements, it's often best to look at your own behavior first, especially when you have a child who's refusing to visit the other parent. Looking at your own behavior may help you get to the root of the problem, especially if you discover that you often badmouth the other parent or voice or your own disdain for the current custody arrangements. Looking at your own behavior can also help if you're the parent that your teen is trying to avoid. Perhaps you're doing something that is affecting the way your teen feels about spending time with you.
Get to the Root of the Problem
If your child continues to refuse attempts at visitation, it's time to get to the root of the problem. Teens can lead pretty active lives, especially once they get into high school. Talking to your teen about their issues may help you understand what's behind their decision to avoid visitation. Perhaps the schedule is interfering with activities that are going on at school or with friends. By talking to your teen about their issues, you and your ex may be able to adjust the schedule to accommodate visitation while still allowing your teen the opportunity to participate in activities they've been missing out on.
Consider Professional Involvement
When it comes to visitation, there may be issues that your teen can't, or won't, discuss with you. If all attempts to remedy the situation have failed, it might be time to consider professional involvement. Your teen may have a problem with visitation that they'd feel better discussing with a third-party. Talk to your family law attorney about arranging some counseling sessions for your teen. A counselor may be able to help you and your teen resolve the issues that are affecting them and preventing them from willingly participating in the custody arrangements.
For more information, contact a professional law firm, like Stoddard Law Firm.