Make Co-Parenting Easier With These Tips
October 29, 2015 by West Coast ADR
For a child who has always had both parents in the same home, a divorce is a traumatic experience. Your child will go through a transition during this time. For some children, simply knowing that their parents don’t hate each other can go a long way towards making the transition easier. Any parents who are divorced might consider making a few changes in their co-parenting style to help their children cope with the new lifestyle.
Keeping all communication between you and your ex amicable can help your children. If you have any touchy subjects or topics that you think might cause a disagreement, it is best to discuss those when the children aren’t present. Just because there is still some tension or some hard feelings between you and your ex doesn’t mean the children have to know.
When you and your ex are having disagreements, make sure that you don’t put the children in the middle. You shouldn’t have the children play messenger because that often makes them feel like they have to choose one parent over the other. Plus, it can make them feel insecure and uncomfortable.
If it is possible for you and your ex to work together, consider creating a consistent environment for your child. You can work together to ensure that all major rules are the same at both homes. Some other minor rules might differ, but children thrive on consistency. The same is true for discipline, rewards and schedules.
Just because you and your ex couldn’t stand to live in the same home any longer doesn’t necessarily mean that you can’t co-parent. In some cases, having a clear and detailed parenting plan might help to set the tone for the co-parenting relationship.
Source: HelpGuide.org, “Co-Parenting Tips for Divorced Parents,” accessed Oct. 29, 2015
For a child who has always had both parents in the same home, a divorce is a traumatic experience. Your child will go through a transition during this time. For some children, simply knowing that their parents don’t hate each other can go a long way towards making the transition easier. Any parents who are divorced might consider making a few changes in their co-parenting style to help their children cope with the new lifestyle.
Keeping all communication between you and your ex amicable can help your children. If you have any touchy subjects or topics that you think might cause a disagreement, it is best to discuss those when the children aren’t present. Just because there is still some tension or some hard feelings between you and your ex doesn’t mean the children have to know.
When you and your ex are having disagreements, make sure that you don’t put the children in the middle. You shouldn’t have the children play messenger because that often makes them feel like they have to choose one parent over the other. Plus, it can make them feel insecure and uncomfortable.
If it is possible for you and your ex to work together, consider creating a consistent environment for your child. You can work together to ensure that all major rules are the same at both homes. Some other minor rules might differ, but children thrive on consistency. The same is true for discipline, rewards and schedules.
Just because you and your ex couldn’t stand to live in the same home any longer doesn’t necessarily mean that you can’t co-parent. In some cases, having a clear and detailed parenting plan might help to set the tone for the co-parenting relationship.
Source: HelpGuide.org, “Co-Parenting Tips for Divorced Parents,” accessed Oct. 29, 2015