by R. Renee Bembry

Created on: October 29, 2007

Ideal parent-child environments wherein both parents live at home with their children are not always available to children due to divorce or because some parents never marry or live together. In situations where both parents do not live with their children, and thus, cannot provide them an ideal parent-child environment, parents should strive to provide children the best possible substitute in order to raise the children as best they can.

Because children deserve decent upbringings; and need support from both parents, parents should overlook the particulars regarding their living status with each other and their children, and concentrate on finding ways to support the children so that the children may thrive. Some parents may find putting in their best effort on behalf of children to be a more difficult task than other parents because the parents have difficulties getting along with one another. For these parents, providing their children what they deserve may take a little extra work. Still, parents who find it tough interacting with each other must learn to suck it up if they intend to play mutual roles in raising their children.

Absent parents should be as adamant about making their children their first priority as parents with physical custody of the children. Yet, many absent parents tend to go on with their lives, seeking new relationships, for example, as if their children don't account for anything. They visit the children once or twice a month, may or may not provide financial support, and start new families as though the first one had been depleted. This type of behavior is anti productive and does not promote good parent relationships with children when parents are not married.

Parents should make certain their children know they love them by telling them they do these words are even more vital to children who may feel abandoned or somehow responsible for their parents' separateness. Furthermore, when confronted by their peers, some children find it difficult to talk about their parents' lack of togetherness. Knowing their parents love them can help them through these troubled times.

Absent parents should stay in touch with their children. Phone them to see how they are doing. Ask about school and football and gymnastics or what ever activities their children are involved in.

Absent parents should attend school functions and extracurricular activities. The fact that absent parents don't reside with their children is no excuse for them not to take part

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