Successful co-parenting after divorce is easier said than done. Even though you have the best intentions, your ex-spouse may make it difficult to stay the course.
Since you want what’s best for your children, it’s critical to devote the necessary time and energy to making the most of the co-parenting experience.
Here are five tips you can follow:
- Don’t make everything about you: The well-being of your children should come first, but also consider the things you can do to make life easier on your ex. Taking this approach will go a long way in keeping the peace.
- Don’t argue about everything: It’s natural to want to argue with your ex, especially if you have gone through a nasty divorce. However, you must wisely choose your battles. Arguing about everything will begin to take its toll on you, your ex and your children.
- Communicate when necessary: This doesn’t mean you have to talk to your ex daily, but you should feel comfortable doing so when necessary. There are many ways to communicate, such as phone calls, text messages and email. Find the method that works best for your relationship.
- Don’t discuss your personal life: Now that your marriage is in the past, don’t feel any obligation to discuss personal matters, such as your dating life or financial situation.
- Don’t put your children in the middle: It’s easy to put your children in the middle, such as by saying bad things about your ex. Avoid bringing your children into the equation, and deal with your ex one-on-one.
Successful co-parenting is difficult, and you’re likely to run into challenges. If your ex is making things unnecessarily difficult for you, review your parenting agreement to better understand what they should be doing. There may come a point when you have no choice but to take legal action, such as requesting a parenting plan modification.
The biggest thing to remember is that you don’t want your ex to stand in the way of a solid relationship with your children.