Co-parenting is a difficult undertaking. People who no longer have a stable relationship with one another have to find a way to cooperate to raise children. Conflict is quite common in co-parenting scenarios, and parents often need to plan to minimize their disagreements in a shared custody scenario.
The right approach to co-parenting can help reduce the likelihood of major issues arising. What tips can be beneficial for parents trying to work cooperatively for the sake of their children?
1. Commit to centralized, child-focused communication
There are many different ways for parents to communicate about their children. Email, text messages, in-person conversations and social media messages are all opportunities to exchange information about children.
Unfortunately, communicating in a variety of different methods can lead to confusion, missed messages and difficulty proving what either party previously said. It is typically beneficial for those trying to co-parent to commit to a specific communication system, possibly a co-parenting app. They also need to keep their communication entirely focused on the children instead of on their issues with one another.
2. Maintain consistent rules that both households
Co-parenting should involve adults working cooperatively for the benefit of their children. Children have an easier time adjusting to the new family situation if both of their parents maintain the same rules and expectations.
Agreeing to enforce the same curfew, maintaining the same basic household rules and otherwise ensuring consistency between the households to make it easier for the children to live up to their parents’ expectations. When the parents have the same rules and standards for their children, it is harder for the children to manipulate them and play them against one another.
3. Establish a system for resolving disagreements
Ideally, co-parents agree on most major issues related to their children’s upbringing. However, there are inevitably disputes and disagreements and co-parenting situations.
Parents can prepare for that eventuality ahead of time. They might choose a co-parenting counselor that they can schedule a session with when embroiled in a dispute. They might also agree to have a neutral friend, a pastor or someone else with dispute resolution experience help them work through disagreements and find solutions that are effective for their families.
Those who approach co-parenting with a healthy and positive mentality may be able to achieve a more amicable shared custody arrangement. Parents who cooperate with one another can help shield their children from unnecessary conflicts and the emotional turmoil that disputes might produce.