Page 175 - The Intentional Parent

Please explore your concerns with a qualified professional and do it WITH the other parent.
INTERFERING DURING VISITATION
I am a father who has visitation rights with my two sons, aged three and seven. When they are over at my house, their mother calls two or three times a day to check in with them. I resent this a great deal because it interferes with my time with the children. Shouldn't she be told to stop?
In general, I think telephoning your children during a weekend visitation is a good idea. It lets them know that the other parent cares and is thinking about them. A quick five-minute conversation is sufficient and does not have to disrupt anything. Telephoning several times a day is not appropriate, however, and represents a clear attempt to dis- rupt the visitation. It is fair neither to the children nor to the other parent.
Reasonable parents can have a civilized discussion about telephone conversations during visitations. It is fair for the parent being visited to provide a few times when the custodial parent can call and check in. It would also be nice if the parent being visited suggests that the children make the call, just to show the children that everyone is capable of being nice to one another.
SHOULD KIDS GO ON VISITATION WHEN THEY ARE ILL?
The other day, my son came down with a cold, and my ex- husband insisted that he go for his typical weekend visit. I didn't want to argue with him over it, so I let my son go.
The Intentional Parent by Peter J. Favaro, Ph.D. 175