• Skip to main content
  • Skip to secondary menu
  • Skip to primary sidebar

Because dads don’t always think like moms™

  • Dad
    • Celebrities
    • Gay Dads
    • Sex
    • Single Dads
  • Pregnancy
    • Labor or Delivery
    • Pregnant Wife
  • Baby
    • Baby Naming
    • Feeding
    • Sleep
    • Toilet Training
  • Kids
  • Teens
  • Activities
    • Local
    • By Age
    • Movie Reviews
    • Celebrations
  • Toys
    • We Recommend
    • Toys
  • Coaching for Dads
  • Great Dad Talks Podcast

How to make the best of your children’s visitation time

May 18, 2007 by GreatDad Writers Leave a Comment

No matter how much visitation time a non-custodial parent may be awarded, it will not seem enough. After all, how can you ever reconcile to having your entire experience of being a dad crammed into a few hours or even a weekend. However, it is crucial that dads make the best of the time available to them.



These are ways we can make your visitation time as productive as possible:



  • Plan activities in advance: It is important that you plan how you will spend the time with your children in advance. You can take them to a children’s movie, and follow it up with lunch in a family restaurant. Or take them to the park, treat them to ice-cream, take them shopping, etc.


  • Play the dad: Remember, you are their dad and will always remain so. Fulfill that role by spending time doing things that dads generally do. Encourage them to participate in things you like. For instance, you can take them to a baseball game. Or share your hobby with them. Take them sailing, encourage them to help out in the garden, or plan a hike in the woods.


  • Focus on quality time: The most important thing is not what you do, but whether you spend quality time with them. Do not be tempted to cram in too much all in one day.


  • Be yourself: Do not worry too much about whether they are happy to be visiting you, or whether they would’ve preferred to stay with mom. This will help them understand that nothing’s changed because of the divorce. Sit back and watch them and enjoy and don’t be over-anxious. Instead, relax and enjoy the time you have.


  • Make them feel at home: Create a place for them in your house. If you continue to live in the home you shared with them before, try to let them keep their room. Or give them a corner they can call their own and let them arrange it themselves. This will help them relax during the time they spend with you.

 

Filed Under: Divorced Dads, Gay Dads

Reader Interactions

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

You must be logged in to post a comment.

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

Primary Sidebar

Great Dad Talks

Great Dad Talks
Great Dad Talks

Great Dad Talks is a series of conversations with experts on all aspects of the family adventure. With the perspective that “dads don’t always think like moms,” our mission is to support dad voices and our slightly different approaches to parenting. We’ll try to find solutions to every day challenges like getting kids off the couch and making STEM classes available for both boys and girls. But we’ll also tackle bigger issues when they come. The one main theme will be to support dads in the most important role of their lives that of being a great dad. Connect with us at greatdad.com and watch the video version of these podcasts at YouTube.com/greatdadnews

145. Understanding Children’s Emotional Needs with Dr. David Marcus
byPaul Banas

Today we delve into the complexities of fatherhood with David Marcus, Ph.D., an expert with over forty years of experience working with families and children. In this enlightening conversation, we explore the essential components of communicating with your child, focusing on the development of a common emotional language. Learn about the four assumptions of emotionality that parents often make and discover strategies to foster a safe and open environment for meaningful conversations at any age.

Check out Dr. Marcus’ website at parentrx.org

Visit these links and embark on the path to becoming the best parent you can be:

– GreatDad.com/coaching 

– GreatDad.com/pq 

– Gratitude course: bit.ly/3NMLDNC  

50% off for podcast listeners with code PODCAST50

145. Understanding Children’s Emotional Needs with Dr. David Marcus
145. Understanding Children’s Emotional Needs with Dr. David Marcus
May 13, 2025
Paul Banas
144. Exploring Mindful Fatherhood with Odeani Mc Bean
May 6, 2025
Paul Banas
143. Overcoming Dad Burnout with Scott Anderson
April 29, 2025
Paul Banas
142. Building Resilient Kids with Dr. Richard Oelberger
April 24, 2025
Paul Banas
141. Exploring Men’s Sexual Health with Dr. Elliot Justin
April 22, 2025
Paul Banas
140. Instilling Values and Financial Literacy with Barclay Roper
April 15, 2025
Paul Banas
139. Adaptive Cooking Tools and Techniques with Douglas Katz
April 8, 2025
Paul Banas
138. Exploring Masculinity and Men’s Groups with Jason Lange
April 1, 2025
Paul Banas
137. Modern Tech for Kids with Damien Schreurs
March 25, 2025
Paul Banas
136. Addressing the Gender Education Gap with Sean Kullman
March 18, 2025
Paul Banas
Search Results placeholder

More to See

Barclay Roper and Paul Banas on Great Dad Talks

Instilling Values and Financial Literacy with Barclay Roper

April 17, 2025 By Paul Banas

Adaptive Cooking Tools and Techniques with Douglas Katz

April 24, 2025 By Paul Banas

Copyright © 2025 . GreatDad