Separated dads If you and your partner have recently separated, your children are going to need you more than ever.

In this article

Make peace

Caring for your child

Dos and don'ts

Keeping a strong relationship

Maintaining a strong relationship with your child even if you're no longer living in the same house is vital. If you're in close contact with your child, he'll recover better from the split, can expect to do better at school, is less likely to get into trouble and will probably have better mental health.

The key to successful separated parenting is, ironically, the same as for a successful marriage: a good relationship with your child's mother.

So, no matter how bad things might have become, concentrate on trying to heal any rifts and try to move to a respectful, supportive post-separation relationship.

Your living arrangements may have changed and you may be some distance from your child but you'll still need to create a warm, family atmosphere when he's with you. Draw on all your resources - family and friends - so you're not isolated and your partner is reassured about where your child is staying.

Do

• Make sure you are on time when picking up and dropping off
• Help your ex out so that she feels you're an asset not a nuisance
• Keep up your Child Support payments

Don't

• Use your child to get at your partner
• Say unpleasant things about your ex in front of your children
• Change arrangements to see your child at the last moment

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