There’s no question that maintaining a positive relationship with your partner while parenting your children is the best scenario. While this is the goal for many couples, it doesn’t always work like this, and they have to find new ways to parent while they are apart.
The good news is that there are several ways to parent separately. While this is true, co-parenting is a top option for both parents and kids.
With co-parenting, the parents work together to raise their children even though they are separated, divorced, or no longer living together. The key here is that even though the parents aren’t together, they are working to raise their children jointly.
Co-parenting is a favorable option for children because they have their parents working together, which creates clear boundaries, consistency, and stability, even though they live in two different homes.
If you aren’t sure if co-parenting is right for you, keep reading. Here you can learn about some of the top benefits it provides to both parents and children.
Show Children What a Healthy Relationship Looks Like
Parents are the default role model for children. This does not change just because you and your spouse separate or divorce. Figuring out a way to co-parent is an effective way to show your kids how you have overcome challenges and what a low-conflict, healthy relationship looks like.
Two Support Systems, Sets of Friends, and Families
Co-parented children will live between two homes. Because of this, it doubles the resources that the child or children have access to. Both homes will have a unique home environment as well as special extended family members. The children will also have different friends living near both their homes. Because of this, they will have two strong support systems.
Most parents agree that the more people who love and care for their children, the better.
Conflict Resolution
Co-parenting gives children the opportunity to learn by example. They are going to watch and learn about the relationships and the steps of conflict resolution. Children will also have the opportunity to learn the best way to cooperate with other people, even in undesirable situations.
Less Parentification
During a divorce, many children wind up being a support system for their parents. But when co-parenting relationships exist, it helps to spare children from this type of emotional stress. This also means they won’t become parentified, which is a good thing.
Tips to Co-Parent Successfully
As you can see from the information here, co-parenting offers more than a few benefits. However, it’s not always easy. Because of this, you may need some tips to help ensure your efforts are successful.
Set Aside Anger and Hurt
If you want to co-parent successfully, it means that your emotions need to take a back seat to the needs of your children. While setting aside these types of strong feelings may not be simple, it is important to do so to make this new arrangement work.
Remember, co-parenting isn’t about how you feel or how the children’s other parent feels. It’s about your children’s happiness, well-being, and sense of stability.
Work on Communication with the Other Parent
Purposeful, consistent, and peaceful communication with your ex is important to ensure that your co-parenting efforts will be successful. Even if this seems impossible at times, it’s something you should focus on and work on. It all starts with your mindset. You should view communication with the other parent as extremely important when it comes to your child’s well-being.
If it’s hard to stay calm around your ex, consider not meeting them in person. You can communicate over the phone or via text or email. The goal here is to find a way to communicate that doesn’t lead to conflict. You just must determine what works best for you.
Work as a Team
As a parent, you are making decisions regarding what is best for your child every day. You need to work with your ex to make these decisions together to ensure that the best interest of your child is considered.
Get Help with Your Co-Parenting Plan
At Griffin Family Law, our we understand how hard things can be after divorcing or separating. However, we also believe that making sure your children are properly cared for and that their well-being is put before all else is essential.
If you need help with visitation, child custody, or even co-parenting arrangements, we are here to help. You can give us a call and schedule a consultation to discuss your needs. We are here to help you make the best decisions for your life and to ensure your children are happy, taken care of, and healthy. Get in touch today to learn more about our family law services and how we can help with your situation.
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