Children look forward to spending time with their parents. This is even true for teens who act like their parents are an embarrassment. When you are going through a divorce, you need to find ways to spend as much time as you can with your kids when they are with you. The issue here is finding the balance between doing this and still allowing them to be their own people.
You don’t want to hover over your children the entire time they are with you. Instead, try to think of small things you can do that will show you are there for them. One thing that can make a big difference is making time for them. Put your phone away during dinner or while you are at their game. Adults these days think that they have to be connected all the time, but this isn’t always true.
Even going to the store can be a bonding experience. Let your child pick out some favorite snacks. Listen to their ideas about what they want for dinner or find out if there is something special they would enjoy having at your home.
Another thing to think about is how you will handle conflicts with your co-parent. You don’t need to always have strife when your children are with you. Instead, consider setting appointments to have these discussions with your ex. Maybe the kids can go spend a few hours with grandma or grandpa, so you can sit down and have an uninterrupted talk with the other parent about the matters that require attention.