3 Things Fathers Can Do To See Their Children

So, you’ve been called a deadbeat dad and now you’re wondering how you can rid yourself of that name and get more in touch with your kids. You genuinely want to be a part of their lives and you are wondering how you can do that.

Well, good for you. Being called a deadbeat dad is certainly no compliment. Under Florida law, a deadbeat dad is a father that has chosen not to be supportive of his kids after divorce. It is a term that is used to refer to fathers that are uninterested and unavailable both financially and emotionally.

Now that you are prepared to be more involved in your kids’ lives, it’s high time you stopped answering to that name. In this article, we show you three things you can do to see your children and get more involved in their lives.

BE SUPPORTIVE

More than anything else, kids want the approval and support of their parents, especially their father. Not being around to give them this approval and support is as much a betrayal as leaving them to fend for themselves from a young age.

After the divorce, this support becomes a crucial part of showing that things will not be worse for the kids. If you have not been available to show this support before, starting now increases the likelihood that you can warm your way back into the kids’ hearts. After all, you can’t see them if they don’t want to see you.

Being supportive doesn’t mean you have to show up everywhere your kids and ex are. You can show this support by calling often, asking about the welfare of the kids and being another emotional pillar in the kids’ lives.

BE AVAILABLE

Be ready to step in when you are needed. By being available, you establish yourself as someone that can be relied upon both by your kids and your ex.

Of course, your level of physical presence in the lives of the kids is primarily determined by the parenting plan developed in the court. However, if your wife and kids want you there, the parenting plan doesn’t stop you from being there.

The plan is basically a means for the court to resolve the dispute between you and your ex on who should have the kids and how to share their time. So, make yourself available when you are needed.

PAY UP ON CHILD SUPPORT

This is pretty important because, it would be very difficult to take you serious if you don’t. Besides, the court can, and is prepared to, make your life very difficult if you fail to make your monthly child support payments.

It could garnish your wages and your bank account, suspend your drivers’ license or passport, hold you in contempt of court or even throw you into jail for up to a year.

More than that though, paying up on child support reinforces the confidence of your ex and kids in you. It shows you as being dependable and truly serious about being part of your kids’ lives.

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