Imagine the scene, your children are coming to spend the night with you. It might be the first time since your separation, or it might be a regular event. Are you ready? Have you planned for a successful evening?

Back to basics.

Let’s go right back to basics. Have you got a checklist? Where will they sleep? Do they have fresh bedlinen, do they even have a bed? Is there a toothbrush for them in the bathroom and pyjamas for them to wear? Do they need to bring their special comfort toy / blanket?

Are they having to share you and your space with a new partner, other children? If so, how are you planning to deal with this?

What are you going to eat?

Think about food. Is your child a fussy eater? Do you have their favourite foods in the fridge? Milk, cereal and bread for breakfast? If you don’t want to cook, do you have the details of the local takeaway? If you are planning an outing to a restaurant – have you made a reservation? 

Before you move on – allergies! Are there any that you need to consider?

Fantastic. You have the eating and sleeping sorted. Have you thought about rules? Rules for you, rules for their mum and rules for the kids themselves. That’s potentially a lot of rules, but a bit of preparation now can go a long way. 

More practicalities.

Have you thought about bedtime? Is there any homework to be done? Is their mum going to call? Do you need to do any laundry for the children? What time, when where and how are you

collecting and dropping off? Is there any do’s and don’ts you’ve agreed on? 

Right – you’re nearly there. Lastly, and hopefully you will never need it…

…Emergencies – have you got a list of phone numbers? Do you know your child’s medical history? Where is the nearest paediatric accident and emergency?

Phew. You’re prepared.

Do you want more practical help?

Contact me to schedule an initial consultation