After a divorce, co-parenting your children can seem like a massive challenge, especially if there are still any lingering resentments or hurt feelings. However, it is important to set these feelings aside for the benefit of your children. Things might not have worked out between the two of you, but you will always be their parents and should always try to do what is in their best interests.
To help you co-parent your children, we compiled a list of tips that will make this task somewhat less daunting:
- Never put your children in the middle of your problems: For some divorced spouses, feelings of hurt and anger might never go away or be resolved. That said, you should not let these feelings get in the way of your ability to co-parent or drag your children into them. If you have a problem with your ex-spouse, talk about it to a close friend, relative, or therapist. Never discuss these issues with your children or attempt to use them as messengers. Neither you nor your spouse should influence how they view or treat their parents, so keep them out of it and let your children be children.
- Work on communicating: One of the most important aspects of your relationship as a co-parent is your ability to communicate. Figure out what works best for the two of you, whether it be communication via email, texts, phone calls, or a combination of multiple methods. Not every conversation needs to be conducted in person, especially if that only stirs up negative feelings. You should also work on how you communicate. Try using a tone that is comparable to what you would use at work and show some restraint when your kids are around to avoid overreacting in their presence. Additionally, the more you both listen to one another, the better you will be able to communicate, so try to hear everything your ex-spouse is saying before you respond.
- Raise your children as a team: You and your co-parent are in this together, so try to approach the upbringing of your children as a team effort. Start with setting consistent rules across both households. For example, if your children have a specific bedtime in one home, the other parent should not allow them to sleep substantially later. Consistency is key to providing a stable environment, so do your best to work together on this.
- Plan for smoother transitions: Instead of “taking” your children away from their other parent for visitation, coordinate with one another to drop them off instead. Dropping off the children is far less emotional an experience than picking them, especially since it prevents any special moments from being interrupted. You should also help your children pack in advance to help them mentally prepare for their visit.
Schedule a Consultation with an Experienced Family Law Attorney Today
At Beaulieu-Fawcett | Newell Law Group, P.A., we are prepared to help you navigate any family law matter, including those related to child custody, visitation, and divorce. You should not have to go through this difficult situation on your own.
Call our office today at (561) 600-5711 to schedule a free consultation.