The Top Ways You Can Bond With Your Children After a Divorce: Fostering the Relationship and Learning Their Interests

Updated 09/14/22

Divorce is stressful for adults but even more for children. They find it confusing and complicated. Adjusting to new realities is an uphill task. It is worse in cases with long-drawn court battles and nasty litigation exchanges with children caught in the middle of the crossfire. Working with divorce mediators is highly advised to neutralize the impact on children. Mediation removes obstacles allowing couples to have a quick divorce that is less painful and more amicable.

A petition for divorce must not adversely affect your children’s lives. You must deliberately co-parent and be civil with your ex-partner for the sake of your children. Seek personal growth and self-improvement activities even after a simple divorce process devoid of drama. It will help you and the children. New parenting dynamics after divorce are draining. It is okay to seek professional advice when it’s too much for you. Strengthen the relationship between you and your spouse after an uncontested divorce to benefit your children. Do activities together. Attend school functions, movies, trips, and picnics, and show interest in your children and their issues. Make visiting your new place feel at home and teach them new skills when they visit. Best of all, provide child support to ensure their lives are uninterrupted.

Dealing with the stress and pressure of a divorce is never fun or easy, but with a professional Charlotte law firm on your side, the entire process can be a lot less stressful. These local legal experts can walk you through the entire process from start to finish. They can help you get everything ready to file for the divorce, present your case to the judge, and help answer questions about after divorce mediation what is the next step you need to take.

Before the hearing, they can help get all documentation and request in order. During the hearings, they will fight for your rights and ensure you are not being taken advantage of. And after filing for divorce, they can give you pointers on what to do and how to protect yourself and your assets. They can also answer any questions you have during the procedure as well, such as: am I divorced or single once everything is finalized and can you divorce for free?

So, find your local family law experts and get the legal help and support you deserve and ensure your rights are protected and that you get a fair hearing!

Going through a divorce is not an easy process — it’s especially difficult for young children. They may feel torn, anxious, and sad as they go through this dramatic life change.

However, you can make the transition easier by bonding with them. If you wish to learn more about bonding with your children after a heart-breaking divorce, continue reading to learn about activities to do with your kids. You’ll also learn how to handle this new lifestyle of yours as you have children who are depending on you — now more than ever.

Learn What Their Interests Are

If you wish to bond with your child, you’ll have to put some effort in and learn what their favorite things are. Find common ground, and you’ll always have something to talk about. Not to mention, your child will appreciate you trying to learn more about who they are.

They are never too young to notice something like this — so make them feel special and ask questions. When they speak about something that intrigues them, ask several questions, and remain engaged. If they’re passionate about golf, maybe you can talk about the top golf simulators together.

If your child refuses to talk, don’t force them to make conversation. They’re likey processing the divorce at their own speed. Just pay close attention. What music do they play in the car? What kinds of stickers do they have on their lunchbox?

If they are a bit older, what kinds of topics do they talk to their friends about?

Remain Civil With Your Ex-Spouse

Before learning more about activities to do with your kids, understand the importance of remaining civil with your ex-husband or wife.

Speaking poorly about your ex-spouse in front of your child can be traumatic for them. Regardless of the state of your relationship with your ex-husband or wife, keep this in mind if you wish to build a better relationship with your children.

Look Into Self Improvement

Read some books on self improvement so you can become a better version of yourself post-divorce. This, in turn, can also help you become a much better parent. Start with literature on relational intelligence. This category of self improvement is best described as how you process your personal relationships with the people in your life. Working on this aspect can help you become more understanding and empathetic — all traits that can help you in every aspect of your life, from parenting to dating, as well as your work life.

Personal development can also include :

• Eating healthier
• Exercising more
• Learning to be more productive

Next, lets talk about activities. Learning more about activities to do with your children is important to keep them entertained, but you also want to make progress as a person after this difficult time in your life too.

Play Their Favorite Video Game With Them

Kids these days are all about playing their favorite video games for hours. It’s a great way to unwind after a long day at school. Not to mention, many of these games encourage creativity and imagination. Take the popular world building game, Minecraft. Players as young as six or seven can build anything their hearts desire.

To ensure a speedy loading time and high quality graphics, look into Minecraft server hosting services. Since this game is meant for people of all ages, you’ll easily get sucked in too.

Set out snacks, make sure their homework is done, and have a great time building a fantastical world from the comfort of your living room.

Learn More About Their Interests on Social Media

Aside from video games, kids are also invested in certain social media influencers. There are several online in various niches, from comedy to beauty. Offer to watch the influencer’s videos with them so the two of you can bond over your child’s passion.

If you’re looking for low energy activities to do with your kids, this one is perfect.

Seek Advice When it’s too Much to Handle

No one ever said divorcing your spouse would be easy. If you’re struggling to bounce back right away, seek divorce advice from a qualified expert. Friends and family may have their own input, but it’s best to seek a professional’s help as anyone else may be biased towards the situation.

Post-divorce therapy can also help you transition into this new life of yours by teaching you new coping mechanisms.

Watch Their Favorite Disney Movies With Them

Disney is one of the purest and most exciting parts of any kid’s childhood. Therefore, offer to watch their favorite Disney movies with them if you’re looking for more activities to do with your kids. If you’re not on a budget, perhaps take them to one of the happiest places on Earth. Disneyland is fun for kids of all ages. Adults can also have an incredible time there.

Just because your child is growing up in two different households, doesn’t mean they should miss out on life’s most special moments. Take them out for a spin on the Mad Hatter’s Teacups, or buy them one of Disneyland’s most famous treats — a dole whip or Mickey Mouse shaped pretzel!

If your children are Disneyland fanatics, consider looking at properties near the park so you can have a blast with them every summer. Vacation homes for sale near Disney also have various other perks. You won’t have to spend thousands of dollars on resort fees every time you want to travel to Anaheim. Not to mention, you can also rent it out as an investment property when you’re not using it. After all, Disneyland is busy year-round. Above all else, this will be one of the most special gestures you can do if your child loves the magic of Disneyland.

Provide Educational Field Trips

If your child is struggling in school — which is quite natural if their parents are going through a divorce — make learning fun again with educational activities to do with your kids. While going to Disney is a fun experience, it’s not quite an educational outing. Instead, try taking them to a science or kids museum so they can get a better grasp of what they’re learning about in class.

Strengthen Your Relationship With Your Ex-Spouse

Regardless of who has custody of the children, it’s important that your kids spend time with both of their parents if you want them to grow up well-rounded. Therefore, it’s imparative that you stregnthen your relationship with your ex-spouse.

Try following some of these tips if you wish to build this relationship.

• Don’t use your kids as leverage when arguing.
• Don’t bring up old drama during family gatherings.
• Learn how to co-parent sussessfully. This may take time and patience, but you must never use your child as a messenger.
• Keep an open line of communication open between you and your ex-spouse.
• Always put your kids and their feelings first when making decisions.
• Wait to introduce a new partner to your ex-spouse and children.
• Refrain from using harmful language when speaking to your ex-spouse.

Get Involved in Your Child’s Favorite Sport

Aside from video games, social media, and movies, your children should also be incredibly active throughout their childhood. Therefore, find a sport that you both love. Select activities to do with your kids like dancing, football, softball, tennis, or even weightlifting.

Sticking with a sport also allows your child to learn more about remaining disciplined.

You’ll also learn more about their interests this way.

Make Jewelry Together

If your child loves to accessorize, consider creating custom jewelry with them. If you’re looking for activities to do with your kids that allow you to stay home, opt for this choice.

Attend Their School Events

If you wish to bond with your child, and display your interest in their lives, attend every school function and event when you can.

Whether they just played a fantastic game of football, or belted out the best note in the school play, make sure to celebrate them afterward.

Make Them Feel At Home When They’re Visiting Your Place

If you don’t have sole custody of your children and they are only able to visit once a week, ensure that your place feels like home too.

You don’t have to plan activities to do with your kids every hour of every day. Sometimes, they just want to relax, so make sure you have their favorite snacks in stock.

Show Interest in Their Issues Too

Don’t get too caught up in your own problems involving therapy and divorce mediation.

It’s easy to forget that sometimes children can have problems too. This can range from bullying at school or homework stress.

Don’t talk down to them and make them feel as if their issues are invalid. Sure, they don’t have to worry about paying bills or hitting work related deadlines. But these struggles feel real and important to them.

Learn the Difference Between Bribery And Building Relationships

Understand the difference between bribery and building a genuine relationship. While you may be tempted to spoil your child and buy everything they ask for, don’t let them take advantage of you. They will appreciate you being an active parent more than a new pair of shoes anyway.

Often, engaging in activities to do with your kids will help strengthen the relationship more than taking them shopping every time they visit.

Lend a Hand at Their School

Join your child’s PTA committee at school. You’ll be helping make decisions that can affect their day to day life in class. It’s also a great way to spend time with your child while they’re at school.

Ask For Time Off Work

If you’re struggling to find time in your schedule for your kids, make time. Ask for a few weekends off from work if you have to.

Continue to Take Family Vacations

Depending on your relationship with your ex-spouse, this tip may be hard to implement. If both parents are on good terms, organize a family vacation with both parents. You may have to take a few more precautions. For example, you’ll need to book separate hotel rooms or flights. But your child will appreciate having both parents in the same room.

Teach Them New Skills

Looking for more activities to do with your kids? Teaching them new skills is a fantastic way to infuse learning into your quality time with them. Try anything from this list for a fun and educational time.

• Teach them a new language — perhaps one that pertains to your family heritage.
• Teach them a new instrument like piano, guitar, violin, or trumpet.
• Teach them a new sport.
• Teach them how to rollerblade.
• Teach them how to skateboard or ride a bike.

Read With Them

Any child will enjoy reading if they learn to appreciate the activity when they’re young enough. Go to the library together and check out books that center on their interests.

For example, they may love reading and learning more about dinosaurs, pirates, or princesses.

You may be surprised at how much of a bookworm your little reader is.

Go on a Hike

If your child isn’t sporty, consider going on a nice hike together. Camping is also a wonderful way to bond with your children.

Closing

When going through a divorce, it may seem like you’re losing your grip on everything that matters in your life. However, try your best to push these negative thoughts away. Your children are also going through this with you. They may not make it obvious, but they are also hurting. Remind them how much they mean to you daily. Implement more activities to do with your kids. It’s also important to show them how much they mean to you. By implementing these tips, you’ll bond with your children and foster a close-knit relationship, even after the divorce.