Your Kid Wants To Live With Ex

“When this happens, it’s important not to take this personally or see this as selfish behavior on the part of the child,” Burchell stressed.  

While it took some time, Johnson's son eventually came around. “When my son turned 21, daddy turned off the money faucet. The kid was clueless about how to get a job, how to keep a job, or how to get back into school. This last year he moved back in with me. Now, he is back in school and working a part-time job to support himself. In exchange for no rent, he is doing the housework and a lot of the yard work. It is not always easy but as long as I see progress, I am more than willing to have him here."  

The thing to remember, Burchell said, is this: “Spouses divorce each other, never their children. Unlike the former spouse, children will remain loyal to parents who are loving, understanding and supportive of their child’s choices.”  


TIPS: IF YOUR CHILD WANTS TO LIVE WITH EX

1. Don't badmouth the other parent.
“Avoid painting a picture of your child’s other parent as a less desirable person. Your child will always feel a strong sense of love and loyalty to you both. Don’t place your child in a position where they feel pressure to choose one parent or the other," Burchell said.  

2. Cover your legal bases.
“Discuss this with your lawyer. If your child goes to live with a non-custodial parent, be sure you are covered legally and that the other parent has the right to consent to everything from school trips to medical procedures," New said.  

3. Recognize the other parent's importance.
“Give your child permission to have a loving, satisfying relationship with their other parent. Although a divorce may be final, the job to serve as a positive and flexible co-parent remains over the course of the child’s life,” Burchell said.  

4. Remain active in the child's life.
"Be sure to stick to your visitation rights and visit and call your child as often as you can," New said.

Bruce McCracken is a seasoned journalist. McCracken has an MA in communications from the University of North Texas and resides in Irving, Texas.