When you divorce, you still need to maintain a functioning relationship if you have children together. Otherwise, the future will be challenging for you and your children.
While co-parenting might not be easy, especially if the end of your marriage is troubled, there are things you can do to keep it simpler.
Co-operation is crucial as parents
Think about all the time you will need to see or at least speak with your spouse. The younger your children are, the longer this will last. Here are some things to consider:
- Think before you act: Whenever you need to do or decide something, focus on how it will affect your child. If you both use this guiding principle, you should have fewer difficulties.
- Be understanding: Your co-parent will make mistakes, but then so will you. They will find things challenging at times, but so will you. If you can both cut each other some leeway, then you will find it easier to cope. Looking for problems with the other’s parenting style or timekeeping will create more problems between you. Helping each other out where you can, such as picking up your child if the other parent is running late, will be better for you and your kids.
- Create routines: These can help both parents and kids. For instance, having a handover routine reduces stress due to uncertainty. It reduces the amount you need to coordinate if you know that the outgoing parent will drop the kids off with the receiving parent every handover day at 6 pm. It also allows you and your kids to plan your life in advance.
Having help to handle your divorce and custody matters in an efficient and non-conflictive way will sow the seeds for a better co-parenting relationship for years to come.
