If you are divorced with children, you will likely need to attend special occasions that your ex will be at. Whether the occasion is your child’s birthday party, religious ceremony, graduation, or another event, you may be nervous about being in the same room with your ex-spouse. Here are some tips that can help you make the best out of attending special occasions with your ex.
1. Realize It Is Not All About You
Your child will be excited about their party, communion, Bar or Bat Mitzvah, or other special event. Understand that the event is about them and not you or your ex-spouse. Make a conscious effort to avoid overshadowing their day with your own anxiety. You are attending the event because you are the child’s parent and want to be there for them during their milestones.
2. Choose Appropriate Seating
If you cannot sit next to your ex-spouse during your child’s event without feeling and looking miserable, sit separately from them. In the event you can sit next to them, make small talk in order to avoid awkward silences and make the situation more pleasant. Do not discuss issues that may cause conflict. If your child is older, you can allow them to determine where you and your ex-spouse will sit.
3. Bring Company
It will be far easier for you to attend a special occasion with your ex-spouse if you bring company with you. Whether you bring a friend, sibling, or a group of people that you feel comfortable with, you will be less likely to focus on your ex and more likely to enjoy the event.
4. Be Civil
The key to a healthy co-parenting relationship is both parents being civil toward one another. When you see your ex-spouse at your child’s special occasion, make an effort to be friendly and kind. However, there is no need to hug or kiss as doing so may confuse your children.
5. Create Separate Celebrations
If you and your ex ended on a particularly bad note and you cannot stand being in their presence, consider taking turns to attend events or creating separate celebrations whenever possible. High conflict parent interaction is not healthy for children and can ruin their events.
Contact a Highly Skilled DuPage County Divorce Attorney
For more tips on how to attend special occasions with your ex and become a better parent, we encourage you to reach out to us today. Call our experienced Hinsdale divorce attorneys at 630-920-8855 today.
Source:
http://beunrehearsed.com/2017/11/parallel-parenting-attending-childs-events.html