People who have children together never get to fully leave each other alone as long as the children are around and they both want to raise them. For many, co-parenting is the chosen model for working as a team to raise the children.
While co-parenting is a great option for some families, it comes with challenges. Both parents will have to ensure they’re working toward having a healthy co-parenting relationship so the children can reap the benefits of this arrangement.
Communicate respectfully
Respectful communication is critical when you’re co-parenting. For some, thinking of the situation as a business-like arrangement makes this easier. When both adults are being respectful, the children usually feel more secure since they can see that their parents are doing what’s best for them. Keeping the lines of communication open can also help when there are issues that need to be addressed by both parents.
Help each other with mistakes
Mistakes are bound to happen while you’re co-parenting. Instead of harping about them and trying to make your ex feel bad when they make one, work together to correct the mistakes. This type of teamwork shows the children that working for the greater good of your family is important.
You must work with your ex to get the parenting plan set up as quickly as possible after the split. This can give everyone peace of mind because they’ll know what to expect. One way that you might be able to make this easier is by working with someone who’s handled child custody matters before. They can help you to find solutions to challenging situations so you can get the parenting plan finished.