Tips for Positive Co-Parenting
If you get divorced and have children, there are many scenarios that can play out. Unless there are extreme circumstances, co-parenting is a great option for the good of the kids. It might be challenging to want to co-parent with your ex but it can be done if you both agree to put the kids first. Read the tips below for successful co-parenting and try putting them into action.
In the 1980s and 1990s, it was normal in
divorce cases for the children to end up living with the mother and for the father
to see his children one evening a week and every other weekend. However,
in recent years much has changed, especially in forward thinking California,
the first state to enact no-fault divorce.Today, California, along with many other states has determined that children
are much better off when both parents play an active role in their lives.
By an active role, this means more than a father seeing
his children every other weekend and once a week; it means almost, if
not equal responsibility in raising his children.Under the modern method of child custody in California, co-parenting
fathers may have the children the same number (or almost the same) of overnights
as the mother, and they are playing more of an active role in their childrens
lives, for example, theyre bringing their children to soccer and
dance, and taking them back to school shopping.Most of Todays Moms Are Employed
Unless a couple was rather wealthy before a divorce, the majority of divorced
mothers these days have full-time jobs. Since it takes a village
to raise children, more (and more) divorced couples are relying on each
other to tend to their childrens daily needs. For example, if Billy
needs a ride to basketball practice but Mom is working the nightshift
at the hospital and its Dads day off, Billys father
can take him to basketball practice while his ex-wife is pulling a 12-hour
shift at the hospital. This is the most logical solution.As in the example above, its not uncommon for todays divorced
parents to have two completely different schedules, and with two parents
working full-time, simple logistics require them to coordinate their schedules
and calendars so the childrens needs are adequately met. Essentially,
divorced couples are co-parenting out of necessity, not always by choice.Recognize the Silver Lining
If youre like a lot of spouses, the idea of coordinating with your
soon-to-be-ex on a regular basis may not sound appealing; however, its
important to see the silver lining. Even if you cannot stand being in
the same room as your husband or wife, its important for you to
see that co-parenting is highly desirable; it makes everybodys
lives easier.We found that for co-parenting to work, spouses should actively seek
divorce mediation or a
collaborative divorce, both of which encourage couples to have a positive divorce. If you want
to succeed at co-parenting, divorce litigation should be avoided if possible.
Experience has taught us that when a couple cooperates from the beginning,
it paves the way for a successful co-parenting relationship.When a couple is angry and bitter and drags each other to court for every
little thing and they try to have equal parenting time, they likely wont
find themselves working as a team and every interaction
may be stressful and strained. Nobody wins in this scenario, and its
not fair to the children to watch their parents constantly fighting over them.If you have minor children from your marriage and your spouse is a loving
parent, we do not recommend an adversarial divorce. Instead, we highly
recommend divorce mediation or a collaborative divorce, especially if
youre going to be seeking a co-parenting arrangement.Making Co-Parenting Work
Through experience with our own clients, we have found that the following
factors help make a co-parenting arrangement work well:Living Close to Each Other
When a couple has children, living close to each other makes everything
easier, especially if the parents can both live in the same school zone.
Even though its possible to live apart and make things work, its
still a lot harder when you factor in all the extra driving, which taxes
everyones patience.Encouraging Stability
If the children can remain in the same school, attend the same church
(where applicable), and continue seeing their friends and taking part
in the same extra-curricular activities, all of this helps promote stability,
which is what children need during and after a divorce.Encouraging Communication
Even if parents dont like each other, its important that
they remain in good communication with each other. For instance,
they need to inform each other if theres a change in their schedule,
and keep each other updated on school schedules, extra-curricular activities,
birthday parties and the like. If it relates to the children, they should
keep each other informed.Being Flexible With Each Other
But its not his day with the kids. We hear this a
lot. So what if its the summer and your ex-husband got the day
off and he wants to take the kids to Disney Land? Even if its not
his day, whats the harm in him taking them to the amusement park?
Occasionally, someone might want the kids when its not their day,
or theyll want to take the kids out to celebrate their new promotion.
Its not a big deal to be flexible with each other once in a while,
even if its not reflected in the Parenting Plan.Ex-spouses must understand that its important to help each other
out and be flexible on occasion, especially if its a reasonable
request. For example, if a mother is called in to work because her co-worker
didnt show up and her ex-husband is available to take the kids,
he shouldnt say, Hire a babysitter! That would just
be unfair to his ex and the kids.Accepting Each Others New Partners
A lot of divorced parents remarry; how a new husband or wife acclimates
to the family has much to do with the ex-spouses attitude toward
the new mate. The best way to encourage peace at home is for each spouse
to be respectful toward the new stepparent and ask their children to be
respectful of him or her. If children have issues with a stepparent, its
nearly impossible to successfully co-parent, and the children ultimately
suffer. Its perfectly normal for an ex to feel jealousy towards
their exs new husband or wife, but they must manage those feelings
and keep them hidden from the children.Are you on the brink of divorce and looking for a Los Angeles divorce lawyer
to represent you? If so,
contact Claery & Green, LLP today to schedule a free, confidential consultation.
Source: http://www.claerygreen.com/Family-Law-Blog/2017/April/Successful-Co-Parenting-After-Divorce.aspx
