Should you force a child to have contact with an absent parent?

S

Clearly if there are no safeguarding concerns, the benefit of having a relationship with both parents is better for the child’s well-being and stability. The child may have picked up on their mother’s sadness or have not had contact for some time, therefore they may in their own way trying to be loyal to their mother, thinking that this is what the mother wants. The child may be angry and hurting and want to hurt back. Sometime parents must persuade children to do what they know is right, even though they may be hurting, themselves; after all, if your child said he did not want to go to school, you would make them go wouldn’t you? as it is in the best interest for the child to do so. Contact with both parents should be thought of the same. With perseverance and hard work the child will hopefully start remembering good memories and look forward to contact with the absent parent.