*This is a contributed post* Getting through a divorce can be challenging; even if you were never married to your child’s parent, you could count on some rough patches. While you could click here to learn more information on custody, most parents will work out some type of custody plan and work towards co-parenting. Co-parenting shows that the child can still have both parents, even once a relationship ends. Sure, there are some challenges here and there, but here is everything you need to know to co-parent successfully.
Communication
Putting your feelings aside and communicating effectively with your ex is essential to a peaceful co-parenting relationship. Keeping communication professional and direct will avoid unnecessary conflict and keep your children’s best interests in mind. Communicating with your ex isn’t always easy, and most co-parents can agree with that. It can be easy to get sucked into your ex’s nature or habits that may have caused you to break up. Plus, there is still going to be a lot of resentment from the breakup that may still be present. You can train yourself to stop overreacting and be calmer.
If you need to vent, talk to a friend or a counselor. However, don’t do it in front of your children. You don’t want them to hear the negative feelings between you and your ex. It’s important to try to maintain family relationships positively, it can be challenging, but it needs to be done. Listening is one of the most important skills to learn how to co-parent. Putting your emotions aside and listening will allow you to understand the other party’s point of view. However, that doesn’t mean you’re okay with what they have to say.
Setting boundaries and ground rules
Whether you’re a new parent or you’ve been through a divorce, you need to learn to set boundaries and ground rules to co-parent with an ex successfully. Even if your ex doesn’t like you, you still need to show respect. If you don’t, your ex might use your children as weapons. It’s better to be safe than sorry, especially regarding your child’s well-being. It can be hard to be the perfect parent, especially when you have negative feelings for the other. However, sometimes, it’s best to swallow your pride.
There are several ways to establish and enforce boundaries. For example, you can create a joint calendaring system. This will let you and your ex know when each other’s kids are attending events and activities. You should also avoid discussing personal matters when picking up or dropping off your child. This will ensure that the children are not involved in the drama.
Avoid using kids as messengers
Using children as messengers when co-parenting with an ex is not a good idea. It can create a lot of stress for the children. It can also lead to legal complications. If you are struggling to co-parent, you should consider a new method of communication. This may be through emails or texts. You can also get help from an expert. The co-parenting rule of thumb is to keep communication lines open and flexible. Sometimes you must let your ex know that you cannot make it to a certain event. This may mean scheduling changes or an appointment.
Set feelings and emotions aside
It is important to set feelings and emotions aside during a co-parenting relationship. Your goal should be to focus on your children’s best interests. You can do this by maintaining communication and working together as a team. You should also limit your interactions with your ex. When communicating with your ex, keep things simple and avoid finger-pointing. You should also try to be a calming presence for your children. This will help them to avoid being overwhelmed by negative emotions.
Don’t denigrate your co-parent in front of your children
Keeping your cool while co-parenting with your ex-spouse can be a challenge. It’s entirely understandable to keep your composure. However, you should not argue or insult the co-parent in front of your child. Fortunately, there are ways to keep both of you cool and sane.
You have to remember that children are your top priority. They need to know that you will always be there for them. That means keeping their schedules intact and ensuring they get the care they deserve. It also means balancing the family budget with a little creativity. One of the best ways to do this is to have a good communication strategy. A good communication strategy builds a good rapport between you and your co-parent. It is also one that you know you will be able to work through in the event of a disagreement. Keeping communication open and transparent can make all the difference in the world.