💛 understanding children's experience of contact visits

Contact visits can feel very different for children than they do for adults. For parents, it might feel like a schedule or a plan - but for children, visits are lived experiences that shape how safe, connected, and supported they feel.

In this episode of the #alwayschildfocused podcast, Jakki is joined by our Assistant Service Manager, Natalie - a highly skilled and experienced child and family therapist. Together, they explore what visits can mean for children, what signs to look for, and how parents can support their child through this important time.

Nat brings a wealth of knowledge from years of child and family therapy. She gently reminds us that children don’t just attend visits - they feel them. Their emotions, hopes, and worries all come with them to each visit, and it’s our role as adults to make sure those feelings are heard and held with care.

Every child responds to visits in their own way. Some may show excitement, while others might feel nervous or unsettled. Nat shares common signs - changes in mood, behaviour, or even play - that parents can look out for. Understanding these signals can help parents respond with empathy and patience.

Supporting children through contact visits doesn’t require perfection - it’s about presence, reassurance, and small gestures of care. Nat talks through practical ways parents can:

• Create gentle routines before and after visits

• Encourage children to share their feelings without pressure

• Remind them that both parents love them and that their voice matters

  
  

Nat also shares two wonderful books she recommends to families navigating separation and visits:

• Living Between Mum and Dad by Melanie Walsh - Available on Amazon Australia

• My Parents are Separating and I am Whole by Andrea Seidel - Available on Book Depository

Both of these books are also available from our #alwayschildfocused Book Club, where families can borrow them through their Contact Worker or by asking our Service Manager.

You can listen to this thoughtful conversation with Nat on our podcast here.

This episode is a reminder that every contact visit is a moment in a child’s story - and with care, those moments can help children feel secure, connected, and valued. 💛