In Michigan, parenting time is not optional—if the court has ordered a schedule, both parents are legally responsible for following it. That means you can’t simply stop sending your child because they don’t want to go. 

If your child refuses, you should do your best to encourage and facilitate parenting time. Depending on your child’s age, that might mean calmly reminding them of the schedule, helping them pack, and reassuring them that spending time with both parents is important. If a pattern develops, don’t try to manage it alone—document what’s happening and talk with your attorney. Courts may view a parent’s failure to support parenting time as interference, but they also take into account situations where a child’s refusal signals a deeper concern, like safety issues or strained parent–child dynamics.

If you ever believe your child faces an immediate and serious safety risk, you should prioritize your child’s safety and contact your attorney right away to discuss next steps. It may be necessary to involve the court, law enforcement, or protective services. Courts take safety concerns very seriously, but they also expect parents to raise those concerns through the proper legal channels, not by making unilateral decisions.

If the problem persists, you may need to explore options such as counseling or asking the court to review or modify the parenting time order. What you should not do is unilaterally stop parenting time, as that could create legal consequences for you. An experienced family law attorney can help you navigate the situation while keeping both your child’s well-being and your legal responsibilities in focus.