On behalf of Mohajer Law Firm, APC posted in child custody on Monday, March 19, 2018.
If you are considering divorce or leaving a long-time partner, you’ll naturally begin to turn your attention to the future. How will you get by on your own? What’s the best way to raise your children? Most importantly, will you be able to co-parent successfully?
No one should ever tell you that parenting is easy. Challenges will arise every now and again. Even though you can expect some bumps along the way, there are many things you can do that will put you in a better position for success.
Four tips for making co-parenting a success
Here are several co-parenting tips that can change things for the better:
Be considerate. You definitely need to care for yourself after your divorce, but you still need to take your ex’s feelings into consideration. He or she is also going through a difficult time, so make sure you keep this in mind when making parenting decisions.
Be as flexible as possible. While you want to follow your parenting agreement closely, there will be times when you need to make changes. Being flexible can go a long way in helping you avoid unnecessary arguments.
Avoid unnecessary arguments. When co-parenting, an argument can pop up out of nowhere. This is normal, especially at the beginning when you are both getting used to a new routine. Pick your battles, or you’ll find yourself squaring off against your ex-partner all too often, which can negatively impact not only you but also your children.
Continue to communicate. Even if you had a messy divorce or separation, co-parenting is all about communicating with your child’s other parent. You should find a strategy that works for you, such as text messaging or chatting on the phone. Once you find a communication channel that works, stick with it unless or until you need to make a change.
The most important thing to remember is that your children always come first. If both you and your ex-partner take this approach, you’ll be in a better position to make the right decisions.