When you think about co-parenting it’s easy to become frustrated, especially if things have not gone as planned in the past.
Regardless of what’s happened, there are steps you can take in the future to improve your co-parenting experience and avoid additional stress down the road.
Here are several questions you can answer to help improve your co-parenting experience:
- How can you help the other parent? Yes, this is a difficult question to address, as you may not be getting along after your divorce. Even so, you need to practice empathy, as this goes a long way in getting both individuals on the same page. If you care for your ex-spouse’s feelings, there’s a greater chance they’ll do the same for you.
- Are you flexible with your schedule? It’s important to follow your parenting agreement and schedule as closely as possible, but there are times when you need to adjust your approach.
- Do you know when a battle is worth fighting? There will be times when you have no choice but to disagree with your ex-spouse, even if it means causing an argument. However, there are also times when it’s better to take a step back and realize that getting into a fight won’t do you any good.
- What’s the best form of communication? You may not want to communicate with your ex-spouse often, but it’s something you have to do for the best interest of your child. There are many ways to communicate, ranging from phone calls to text messages.
- What can you do to make things easier on your children? This is what it’s all about. Even if a particular decision is not best for you, if it’ll put your child in a better situation you need to strongly consider taking action. If you always put your child first it’s much easier to stay on track.
These are among the most important questions to answer as you attempt to establish a solid co-parenting relationship.
If you run into a child custody dispute, review your parenting agreement for a better idea of the next steps to take. Also, formulate a plan for protecting your legal rights and relationship with your child.