Tips For Parents When Your Child Reaches Out

By Ginger Gentile

• Before your visit, prepare by speaking with a qualified family coach or therapist (who practices Cognitive Based Therapy) about remaining in the present and maintaining a productive mindset as you move forward.
• When with your child, keep your conversation light, positive, and let them know how great it is to hear from them.
• Focus on listening. This time together is about your child, not you or your ex.
• Avoid discussing how much time has passed, your pain, the suffering, or the wrongs done by the other parent.
• Make it easy to set your first visit together. Remember, your child may still hold a negative view of you – "show them" your love instead of "telling them." This is very important, especially in the initial interactions.
• Do you need help responding to accusations or being blamed? Take our Roadmap course!