Co-Parenting After Divorce
Posted on July 08, 2013 in Child Custody and Support
The process of going through a divorce is emotionally and financially stressful. Divorce can become even more stressful when children are involved. Children need to feel loved and secure, and the best way to ensure that children's needs are met is to learn how to co-parent efficiently.
The easiest way to begin making decisions with your ex that will benefit your children is to look at your relationship as a completely new one. This new relationship is not about the two of you, but rather it is about your children. In order to be a successful co-parent, you must always put your children ahead of yourself. You may no longer be a husband or a wife, but you are still a father or a mother.
In order to focus solely on your children, you must put all of your own emotions aside, which can be very difficult. This is both the most important and the most difficult part of working together with your ex. Your child’s happiness, stability, and future well-being are all more important than your current anger or hurt.
Communication is a large part of successful co-parenting. Although it may seem difficult, it is possible. The key is to begin with your mindset. You just need to remind yourself that communicating with your ex will improve your child’s well-being, which is the most important thing. Your child should be the focus of every discussion you have with your ex.
Communicating with your ex can be overwhelming, and sometimes it’s best not to do it in person. Perhaps speaking over the phone or exchanging emails works better for you; every relationship is different and you will determine the most efficient way to work with your ex. You should avoid conflict no matter what form of communication you choose.
If you are a parent going through divorce and are not quite sure how to begin efficiently co-parenting with your former spouse, contact a Kane County divorce attorney to help answer your questions and find a way for you to be successful.
Image courtesy of David Castillo Dominci/ Freedigitalphotos
