If being on a Supervised Visit is not stressful enough, having to find things to do for the short time of your visit can be even harder.
You want your time with your children to be a bonding moment where nothing else exists but having a good time. However it is very hard for adults let alone children not to be stressed, which shows itself in many different ways. Even when everyone involved is excited and experiences a deep desire to connect, the presence of an outside observer, who is listening to each conversation and watching every interaction, can make the experience somewhat stilted. To boot, the visit may take place in an unnatural setting, which works to make the experience even more artificial.
Many times there are stipulations on what you can or cannot do on a visit, also, the cost of doing activities can be expensive. However, before you start to dread the next visit, keep in mind that there are some things you can do to make supervised visitations easier for you and your children.
Below is a small list of activities you can plan for during your visits which will not only be fun but will provide you with plenty of reasons to laugh and enjoy yourselves. Of course you will need to adjust what you bring to be age appropriate. Remember that it is not about competition on who won, who loss but being present for the sharing moments.
Card Games can be played anywhere, and are small enough to carry a pack or two in your pocket. You don't have to buy a special pack for many of the games you can play with a normal deck of cards. If you don't know of any fun games go online and check out card games to play with your children. I have included a few links to different pages. Mix it up and take card games from another culture. https://www.kidspot.com.au/ https://www.fatherly.com/play/the-best-card-games-for-kids/
Coloring for all ages is a very calming and creative activity that you can also do most anywhere. You will need to bring crayons or coloring pens and a coloring book or you can go online and download some coloring pages. If you want to purchase coloring books go to the dollar store near you and pick up a few. I have included a few links to some different pages. https://www.justcolor.net/kids/ http://www.coloring-book.info/coloring/
Work on a project together, such as creating a scrapbook or collage. Choose something that will take some time, so that you can each look forward to the next phase of the creative project as you anticipate your visits. The finished product can become a testimony to the time you passed through a difficult valley together and became, nonetheless, closer.
Reading together and sharing a story is an amazing bonding time. If your child is older ask them what books they are interested in, authors, interests read up about them before your next visit so you are able to have a conversation about their interests
Board games though they might be a little more cumbersome to bring to a visit they are also fun to play with multiple players. For your older children trivia games are great.
Play ball games are great for fun and exercise and gets you outside
Picnics are always fun to add to the activities
Remember no matter what you do, the visit is time for bonding, sharing moments and memories in a difficult time. Sometimes the simple things are what matters, not the expensive meal, gift but genuine quality time spent with your children that matters.
Instead of making your children bring stuff to a visit, you can put together an outing bag and bring it with you to each visit. Have a few different items in it and make it fun. Get a special blanket for the visits.
Make your visits Magical and full of love.
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