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What Can You Do if Your Child Refuses to Visit the Other Parent for Their Visitation?

Your child has visitation with the other spouse. However, the child does not want to go. They may say they don’t want to go. They may look sad. They may cry. What are you to do? 

You should encourage your child to go visit the other parent. Tell them that it will be fine and that mommy or daddy loves them. Encourage the child by telling them they will have a good time if they go see mommy or daddy. Attempt to alleviate any fears they have regarding the visit. Tell them they must go and that everything will be okay when they do. 

If you willfully prevent the time sharing of your child with the other parent for no legally justifiable reason, you can be held in contempt of court by the judge in your case. The judge may also give the parent who was denied visitation makeup visitation time. Therefore, you should not let the child believe that not going to see the other parent is a valid option. You should also avoid badmouthing the other parent in front of the child. 

The law and the Seminole County Administrative Order states that children have a right to a loving, open, and continuing relationship with both parents. Children have a right to express love, affection, and respect for one parent in the presence of the other parent. The public policy in the Orlando, Florida area is that both parents are entitled to a loving relationship with the child. 

There is an Administrative Order for Orange and Seminole County. Seminole County Administrative Order Number 17-17-S Supersedes 11-10-S and explains a parent’s expected behavior regarding children’s matters such as custody, time sharing, parenting plan, etc. The order spells out the Shared Parenting Guidelines. It states that the safety, financial security, and well-being of the children involved in this case are the court’s primary concern. Both parties are to follow those guidelines until an entry of an order by the court. 

Therefore, you must encourage the child, no matter their age, to visit the other parent and have a loving relationship with the other parent because that is the law. This law applies absent the proof of abuse, abandonment, or neglect. 

If you have more questions regarding a Marital and Family Law matter, you may call Ann Marie Giordano Gilden at Ann Marie Giordano Gilden, P.A. at 407-732-7620 and set an initial consultation. 

This article is for informational purposes only and does not form an attorney client privilege.