Tips for Successful Co-Parenting During and After Divorce

There are many different reasons why you should prepare yourself for co-parenting with your former spouse. When possible, it’s often recommended, and it will  allow your children to maintain a positive relationship with both parents. The more you can minimize issues between you and your former spouse, the easier adjusting to this new lifestyle will be, not only for your children, but for you, too.

Unless your family has faced significant issues associated with majors issues such as substance abuse or domestic violence, or a parent is found to be unfit, there is a good chance that you and your former spouse will have to co-parent, in other words, have shared parenting time,  if you ultimately get a divorce. Judges greatly favor having both parents play an active role in their children’s daily lives.

Furthermore, scientific research shows that the quality of the relationship between co-parents can emotionally and mentally benefit the well-being of children. Putting aside relationship issues, it is also far easier to cooperate and work with the other parent to co-parent successfully. This can minimize the stress in your own life as well as on your children.

There are numerous benefits to co-parenting for your children, including laying a healthy example to follow, they can better understand problem solving, they benefit from consistency and they feel secure. It is often easiest for parents in this situation to put their hurt and anger aside. Putting aside your own emotions is important because they will need to take a back seat to your children. Such strong feelings may be the hardest aspect of learning to work cooperatively with your ex, however, it is also the most important.

Remember that co-parenting is not about your underlying feelings or those of your former spouse, but rather about the well-being, stability and happiness of your child. Try to avoid discussing negative aspects of the other parent when your children are around. This does nothing but cause problems for your children and can inflame a conflict with your former spouse as well. Co-parenting can be accomplished successfully in any number or type of joint custody or other custody arrangements.  

If you have questions about Co-Parenting custody arrangements, you should speak directly to an experienced lawyer.

Hire Kevyn Noonan Hayes, Esq., a Naples family divorce lawyer, for help with child custody.