What Can You Do When Your Child Hates Visitation?

 Posted on September 11, 2025 in Child Custody

Parents in Texas often feel torn when a child resists visiting the other parent. On one hand, Texas law requires parents to follow court-ordered visitation schedules. On the other hand, no parent wants to force a child into a situation that causes stress, tears, or fights.

These are tough situations indeed, but the answer is not to simply stop following the order. Instead, the law provides options for addressing visitation concerns in a way that protects both you and your child. As of September 2025, Texas family law continues to require parents to honor possession schedules set out in a court order, even when a child expresses reluctance. Ignoring the order can result in contempt charges, fines, or even jail time. Meet with our Collin County child custody lawyers to learn what you can do instead.

Do You Have to Force Your Child to Go to Visitation?

In Texas, parents cannot prevent court-ordered visitation just because a child does not want to go. Under Texas Family Code § 153.001, both parents are presumed to benefit from frequent, continuing contact with their child. Even when your child insists that they do not want to go, you must make reasonable efforts to make them go anyway. This might mean having them ready at the scheduled time, encouraging them to go, and making records of your efforts if they still resist.

Why Is My Child Resisting Visitation With Her Other Parent?

Children resist visitation for a variety of reasons. Some are practical, such as a busy school schedule, sports, or friendships. Others may be more serious, like challenging relationships with the other parent, not liking a stepparent, or being angry about the divorce. In rare but serious cases, a child may not want to go to their other parent’s house because they feel unsafe.

When you listen to your child with patience and empathy, you can often uncover whether the issue is a passing frustration or something that needs intervention. However, at the end of the day, children do not get to decide whether visitation occurs. Once a child turns 12, the court may consider their wishes when reviewing a modification request, but a court may still tell the child they have to go.

What Can You Do if Your Child Never Wants to Go to Visitation? 

If your child’s resistance continues, you have options that do not put you in violation of your court order:

• Document what happens at every exchange, including your efforts to follow the visitation order. This protects you from claims that you are intentionally interfering.

• Talk about the situation with the other parent calmly and respectfully. Sometimes collaborative solutions, like adjusting exchange times, can make the situation better without involving a court.

• Have your child work with a therapist or counselor. Judges often value the perspective of professionals who can help children process their feelings.

If these steps do not help, you may need to ask to change the visitation schedule. Under Texas Family Code § 156.101, parents can seek a change when it is in the best interest of the child and circumstances have changed substantially since the last order.

Contact a McKinney, TX Family Lawyer

If your child resists visitation, you need guidance that balances legal requirements with your child’s well-being. Contact a Collin County, TX child custody attorney at The Ramage Law Group by calling 972-562-9890. Our attorneys will listen carefully to your concerns, explain your options under Texas law, and help you pursue solutions that prioritize your child while keeping you in compliance with court orders.