If you are a father who has had limited time with your child, you may feel that there is a lack of a connection between the two of you. This may further discourage you from fighting for custody, because you may believe that your child does not need you in their life. This is a common issue for many fathers who were not present in the first months or years of a child’s life.
However, it is important to remember that children always benefit from the love and support of their biological parents. If you want to be a present father, it can be possible to build a bond over time.
If you have possibilities for visitation even though you do not have custody currently, you should see these visits as an opportunity to build your bond. It’s important to be patient and realize that joint custody could be a possibility in the future. The following are some ways that you can work on building a connection as a non-custodial father.
Prioritize quality time
Not all time with your child is equal. Spending time in front of the TV together can be fun, but it is unlikely to strengthen the bond between you and your child. Doing active things such as taking a walk, crafting, visiting a museum or just simply talking, can strengthen relationships and build trust between the two of you.
Try to work with the other parent
Co-parenting can be frustrating at times, but working against the other parent will likely result in a negative outcome for all parties involved. If you both genuinely stay focused on what is in the best interests of your child, you should be able to collaborate harmoniously.
Focus on the present and set goals for the future
Try to imagine how you would like your relationship to be with your child five years from now. By focusing on taking small steps to build a strong relationship with your child today while keeping hold of your vision for the future, you are likely to be successful.
If you are struggling to get the child custody agreement in place that you think you deserve, consider how you can make a stronger argument to child custody courts.
