Co-parenting after divorce is easier said than done. While you want to do what’s best for your children, you must also take into consideration how to make things as easy on yourself as possible.
Here are some basic steps you can take if you’re struggling with co-parenting:
Refer to your parenting agreement: Your parenting agreement, along with the visitation schedule for the non-custodial parent, provides a variety of information regarding how to approach co-parenting. For example, if you have physical custody, your ex will visit with your children based on the schedule you created during your divorce. This can help everyone get on the same page.
Bring your concerns to light: If you have any concerns, don’t hesitate to discuss them with your ex. You may feel like bottling them up inside avoids conflict, but doing so can cause more harm than good in the long run.
Learn to walk away: If you find yourself regularly arguing with your ex, you must learn how to control your emotions and walk away from the situation before it gets worse. This is easier said than done, but once you get into the habit you’ll be in a much better place.
At first, you may find yourself struggling with co-parenting. However, over time, it’s always hopeful that you, your ex, and your children settle into the new arrangement.
Should your ex continually make decisions that violate your parenting agreement and/or visitation schedule, talk to them about fixing this. If that doesn’t work, you may want to consider protecting your legal rights by requesting a modification from the court that issued the original order.