Parents who are going through a divorce must ensure that they’re making decisions that are in the best interests of the children. One decision you’ll have to make if you’re going through this situation is what type of parenting arrangement you want to use.
For some parents, co-parenting is the best option. Children usually thrive in these cases because they know they have the full support of both parents. In the co-parenting model, parents work together. This isn’t always easy, so they must ensure they take steps to make it as easy as possible. Here are some suggestions that may help:
1. Communicate calmly
You and your ex have to be able to speak directly to each other. Remaining calm through every discussion can help you to come to a solution much easier. It also makes it possible to come up with solutions that help to solve the problem at hand.
2. Compromise on schedules
The parenting time schedule may need to be changed sometimes. When this happens, both parents should do what’s best for the children. Compromises shouldn’t always be one-sided so be sure you’re working as a team with your ex.
3. Keep contentious matters away from the kids
The children should see you and your ex as a parenting team. Try not to discuss contentious matters in front of them. This is especially important on transition days and at important functions when they might already feel nervous.
Taking the time to set up the co-parenting plan in a way that suits the children’s needs is imperative. Some situations require you to set up creative solutions, so working with a professional to handle these matters can help you to find those while reducing stress. As the children’s needs change, you can modify the parenting plan to fit the new situation.
