When it comes to the custody of a child, the court has to consider many factors for deciding things that are in the child’s best interest. Among the diversified cases, when the judge finds one of the parents unreliable because of substance abuse, violence, or some other mental health issue that might put the child’s safety at risk, he orders supervised parenting time.
How Does It Work?
In this type of a decision, the court aims to keep the ties working between the child and the parent while keeping in mind the welfare and well-being of the child. A trusted, neutral person is appointed as the supervisor of parenting time and whenever the parent meets the child, this supervision is kept intact. If something problematic or unpleasant happens, the supervisor can intervene and remove the child from that scenario. So, this option works best where the parent and child relationship needs to be built while keeping the child’s safety in mind.
Why Is Supervised Parenting Time So Consequential?
Think of a child going through his parents’ separation and how stressful it must be for that child to process the family disorientation. Indeed, the child goes through a lot of turmoil and mental agitation. In the middle of such a chaotic and mentally distressing situation, if one of the parents turns out to be a threat to the child’s safety or well-being, some middle option is available that proves to be in the best interest of the child during this transitional time. The judge decides the court-supervised visits between the child and the parent in question are best as the subject parent learns new skills and maintains bonds with their child. A trusted family member or social worker often supervises these meetings and they are frequently arranged at a designated visitation facility or a family member’s home. When a child stays in contact with his parents in a safe environment, both his mental health and personality can continue to flourish.
For How Long Does It Continue?
The frequency and how the visits are established rely on the parent’s physical and mental health. For instance, if the parent has an allegation of becoming physically violent or abusive towards others, his visitation will be granted under strict control. This means that the supervisor will always be around the child while he or she meets the parent and this will continue until the investigation against the parent gets completed. In any case, the child’s best interest, such as physical safety, is kept in view by the judge. For example, if a parent is substance dependent or abusive towards others, supervised parenting time may be granted until the worrisome behavior shows improvement.
What Should Parents Know?
Parents must be aware of the consequences of their choices when it comes to their children. If there is a concern for the safety of their child, the family court should be approached and court-supervised therapy may be requested. This will make sure that the child is always safe while the court is deciding whether additional or prolonged intervention is required. If you are one of those parents who has been subjected to the allegation of being unsafe, supervised parenting time gives you an opportunity to show that you are interacting well with your child. If the court is able to see that there is no longer a threat or that the threat may not have been realistic to begin with, then it will begin to expand parenting time.
The Final Thoughts
It can be difficult for a child to develop a strong relationship with a parent who may be a threat to his physical or emotional safety. However, the use of supervised parenting time can allow healing to begin and relationship building in a safe environment. This technique is not used to punish parents, but to help them to more efficiently reestablish bonds and boundaries with their children and their coparent.
In this type of a decision, the court aims to keep the ties working between the child and the parent while keeping in mind the welfare and well-being of the child. A trusted, neutral person is appointed as the supervisor of parenting time and whenever the parent meets the child, this supervision is kept intact. If something problematic or unpleasant happens, the supervisor can intervene and remove the child from that scenario. So, this option works best where the parent and child relationship needs to be built while keeping the child’s safety in mind.
Why Is Supervised Parenting Time So Consequential?
Think of a child going through his parents’ separation and how stressful it must be for that child to process the family disorientation. Indeed, the child goes through a lot of turmoil and mental agitation. In the middle of such a chaotic and mentally distressing situation, if one of the parents turns out to be a threat to the child’s safety or well-being, some middle option is available that proves to be in the best interest of the child during this transitional time. The judge decides the court-supervised visits between the child and the parent in question are best as the subject parent learns new skills and maintains bonds with their child. A trusted family member or social worker often supervises these meetings and they are frequently arranged at a designated visitation facility or a family member’s home. When a child stays in contact with his parents in a safe environment, both his mental health and personality can continue to flourish.
For How Long Does It Continue?
The frequency and how the visits are established rely on the parent’s physical and mental health. For instance, if the parent has an allegation of becoming physically violent or abusive towards others, his visitation will be granted under strict control. This means that the supervisor will always be around the child while he or she meets the parent and this will continue until the investigation against the parent gets completed. In any case, the child’s best interest, such as physical safety, is kept in view by the judge. For example, if a parent is substance dependent or abusive towards others, supervised parenting time may be granted until the worrisome behavior shows improvement.
What Should Parents Know?
Parents must be aware of the consequences of their choices when it comes to their children. If there is a concern for the safety of their child, the family court should be approached and court-supervised therapy may be requested. This will make sure that the child is always safe while the court is deciding whether additional or prolonged intervention is required. If you are one of those parents who has been subjected to the allegation of being unsafe, supervised parenting time gives you an opportunity to show that you are interacting well with your child. If the court is able to see that there is no longer a threat or that the threat may not have been realistic to begin with, then it will begin to expand parenting time.
The Final Thoughts
It can be difficult for a child to develop a strong relationship with a parent who may be a threat to his physical or emotional safety. However, the use of supervised parenting time can allow healing to begin and relationship building in a safe environment. This technique is not used to punish parents, but to help them to more efficiently reestablish bonds and boundaries with their children and their coparent.
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