In some divorces, the completion of the divorce is the last time that the couple will have to talk or communicate with each other. Once you have gone your own ways, there is no need to have anything to do with each other again.
If you have children, divorce can become a little bit more complicated. Having children with someone means that you will forever be bound to that person because you share a child or children in common.
Even though you may still have feelings of anger or hurt against your ex-spouse, it is important that you put those feelings aside for the sake of your children. Co-parenting takes a great deal of cooperation and compromise. Here are five tips to help practice successful co-parenting after a divorce:
This will probably be one of the first things that you must learn to do when you are co-parenting with your ex. You may have many residual emotions from your divorce, like anger or devastation. It is important that you allow yourself to feel those emotions, but that you do not let them control you.
There is a reason why it is called co-parenting: you are working together with your ex to raise the children. Your situation will be much harder if you are constantly fighting against or disagreeing with your ex. You do not have to love your ex and you do not even have to like them - you just have to work with them.
A sense of consistency can be beneficial for both you and your children. When you work out a parenting plan before you finalize your divorce, consistency is the key for both you and your children to adapt to a new routine. Knowing what to expect and when to expect it will be beneficial to all those involved.
You also need to know when to fight and when to acquiesce. Repeatedly fighting over details will leave you stressed and upset and will add unnecessary tension between you and your ex. If you truly disagree about a decision that is serious and affects your children’s well-being, then you may wish to pursue some type of legal action. But if it is just a matter of disapproving of how your ex dressed your child, it may be in your best interest to let it go.
Co-parenting can prove to be challenging, even for the couple who had the easiest and most amicable divorce. Much of co-parenting success comes from how you deal with and react to situations. One way to increase the chances that you will have a positive co-parenting experience is by hiring a skilled Hinsdale, IL parenting plan lawyer. The Law Office of Martoccio & Martoccio can help you draft a parenting plan that both you and your ex will be able to follow. Call the office at 630-920-8855 to schedule a consultation.
Sources:
https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/co-parenting-after-divorce/201411/what-makes-successful-co-parenting-after-divorce
https://www.parents.com/parenting/divorce/children/8-tips-for-better-co-parenting-after-divorce/
https://www.helpguide.org/articles/parenting-family/co-parenting-tips-for-divorced-parents.htm