A therapist offers mothers her tips for reducing the stress related to exchanges and their child’s visitation with his or her father.

1. Always focus on your child.
2. Make sure the other parent is kept posted on recommendations from school as to services appropriate for your child.
3. Attend a different performance of school events if possible, trade off events or sit far away from the other parent.
4. Ditto for sports events.
5. Be civil at extended family occasions and gatherings – or don’t go.
6. Be accommodating with schedule changes.
7. Treat your ex with respect.
8. Allow communication – but use e-mail for neutrality … and a record.
9. Let your child participate in planning, but don’t put your child in the middle … or on the spot.
10. Attend a Children First class.

Read more in this Single Minded Women website article: Stress-Free Visitation Guidelines and the website Your Child’s Divorce.