It can be an extremely hard decision to go through with a divorce if there are children in the picture. However, for many families, it is the right decision, and the thought of co-parenting can be daunting depending on how amicable your divorce was.
However, for your children’s sake, it is important to co-parent effectively so you can keep their best interests at heart. Here are some useful tips that you can use to help you along the way.
Be Consistent
Although at times you may not agree with a decision that happened in another house, it is important as parents that you back each other up in front of your children. They need value and consistency from both parents and having conflicting views could be confusing for them. If you really struggle to come to an agreement on certain decisions like how much TV time they are allowed, then it is important to let your children know that sometimes parents have different viewpoints. Check out this article on ways to be more consistent co-parents.
Keep The Children Out of Any Conflicts That May Arise
It is only natural that there, at times, may be disagreements between you and your ex-partner. You should try your best to keep this out the way of your children. Arguing in front of your children can have a negative effect on them and can spark feelings of anxiety and stress.
You should never put your child in a position where they have to choose one parent or the other. Just remember, they didn’t want their parents to go through a divorce and they love you both equally. Sometimes it can be uncomfortable for your child to hear you talk negatively about your ex-spouse so you should try and avoid this at all costs.
Seek Helpful Advice from Family Lawyers
No one said co-parenting was easy. It is ok to seek advice from your family lawyer before taking on the world of co-parenting. Even the best family law attorney in Texas will understand that co-parenting has it’s struggles. Just remember, they have seen and heard this all before and they can give you some useful advice on how you and your co-parent can come to a happier medium.
Improve Communication Between One Another
You may think that it is impossible but having strong communication with your co-parent is essential. It’s time to shift your mind set and stop seeing it as you’re having to talk to your ex, instead think about how you’re doing this for your child’s well-being. Strong communication doesn’t always mean face to face interaction. A simple text or phone call can go a long way and is a great way to keep you in the loop about what your children have been up to when you’ve not been around them for a while. It can help put any anxious thoughts at ease by just reaching out.
Remember It Is About Them
The most important factor of all of this is that you have to put your ill feelings towards your ex aside. It is about your children. As much as it can hurt seeing your children leave for a few days, they didn’t ask for any of this and they deserve a good, healthy relationship from both of you. Here is a comforting story about how one parent copes when her child has gone to her father’s house.
