Child Custody Visitation

Visitation Recommendations For Children Under the Age of Three

Posted on August 8, 2009
Filed Under Visitation Rights | Leave a Comment

Visitation Recommendations For Children Under the Age of Three

An infant's basic needs are food, sleep and physical contact. However, when you are divorced, you want the infant to be able to recognize you as the parent. This is only possible if there are frequent visitations as then the infant will be able to recognize your face and voice. That is why psychologists recommend that non-custodial parents visit children under the age of three frequently and this visit should last around 2 hours each time. Overnight stays at this point are not recommended as the infant will miss the custodial parent, who is its primary caregiver.

When a child is between 6 months and 18 months, he knows immediately when the parent is not around. As a non-custodial parent, if you do not make regular and frequent visits, the child might get anxious and stressed by your absence. This is the age when the non-custodial parent should form an emotional bond with the child and you should concentrate about forming an attachment with the child. It is quite possible for you have a healthy emotional relationship with the child even though you and your spouse are now divorced.

Between the age of 18 months and 3 years, the child starts becoming independent. However, he needs a sense of security; he wants to make sure that the parents will be in his life forever. If a child doubts this, you can be sure that he will be constantly asking you whether you still love him. This is the time when a child will figuring out whether he can depend on his parent and that is why you should always be around when you make a promise and try have visit him as often as possible.

Children need to feel loved and safe and the only way you can show your feeling for them is to visit them as often as possible after the divorce. That is why when children under the age of three are involved you should try to negotiate a visitation schedule with your ex-spouse.