How to Make the Most Out of Co-Parenting with Your Ex-Partner

Divorce and separation have become part and parcel of modern life. Knowing how to navigate life without your partner can be tricky but also necessary. One thing that divorced couples must do is co-parent. 

After all, children don't have to suffer just because you couldn't make your marriage work. The good news is that with proper maturity and respect, co-parenting can be done safely and to the benefit of the child or children involved. 

Here are some tips you can follow:

1. Always Put the Kids First 

When you are a parent, you must learn to prioritize the needs of your children. This does not change when you are divorced. 

Even if you don't live with them anymore, you must always do everything you can to prioritize their needs. 

Keep in mind that children need a sense of stability after their parents have separated. It will be difficult to give them that if you are always busy with other things. The last thing you want is to make your children feel neglected.

2. Communicate with Your Former Partner 

It is also very important to communicate effectively and clearly with your former partner about child custody and parenting time. Co-parenting is not easy, and it requires some sacrifices. 

However, it is important that you are both on the same page. For example, sit down and work out a schedule of when and how you will see your kids. 

If there is a reason why you are not able to stick with that schedule, communicate with your ex-partner in advance. 

3. Deescalate the Situation

Divorce and separation are very emotional events. Tensions are high, and sometimes, things can escalate into a messy outcome. 

This is not good for the kids, and it can make co-parenting very hard. So, even if you have some genuine grievances about how the marriage ended, it's best not to bring that up all the time now that the divorce has been finalized. 

Try to maintain a calm mind and be as civil as you can. In some cases, you may even learn that your former spouse is moving on with their life faster than you expected. Don't be petty about it. When it comes to co-parenting, your priority has to be the kids.

4. Make Big Decisions Together 

Whether you like it or not, children need both their parents. Divorce will not change the dynamics of parenting. It may make things harder, but a parent's duties and responsibilities remain the same. 

So, before you make any big decisions about your kids and their future, make sure you involve your former spouse. 

Child custody and parenting time will fail if one party feels like they are being taken for granted. Leaving the other parent out of big decisions will easily elicit such feelings.

Conclusion

Co-parenting is not supposed to be easy. In fact, most divorced couples will struggle at first but you owe it to your kids to make it work. 

However, in case you are not happy with the arrangement, you can always raise the issue with a custody attorney and see if there is any other solution.