The Do’s and Don’ts for Co-Parenting

Work Together for the Best Interest of Your Child

Co-Parenting after going through a divorce can be a ruthless struggle of differing opinions, awkward drop offs, and he-said/she-said battles.

It doesn’t have to be that way. With the help of an experienced attorney in Charlotte NC to map out your communications and visitation, coming up with an amicable plan is possible. Let the attorneys at Emblem Legal relieve your stress about joint custody and communications with your ex.

Think of joint custody as a working relationship and try to put the hurt aside.  Putting emotions aside after a divorce is easier said than done but it is possible. Put the children first and have that as your main goal. Outline communication so each side knows what to expect. There’s nothing worse than surprises in an already volatile relationship. Establishing a Co-Parenting plan takes a little time and effort but it can relieve an enormous amount of stress. Co-Parenting plans entail how time with the children will be spent. Set out the rules and routines of your partnership. Revisit the plan every couple of years to make sure it’s still relevant. The dynamics of the partnership typically takes a few years to evolve effectively. Here are some communication Do’s and Don’ts for Co-Parenting that www.divorcemag.com recommends.

Do’s:

1. Have clear, consistent schedules and rules.
2. Keep each other abreast of any parenting-related developments or important issues.
3. Develop a trust level between each other— this means being 100% trustworthy yourself.
4. Be civil and reasonable at all times.
5. Encourage your children to have a strong relationship with your ex.
6. Encourage your children to talk openly with you about their feelings and thoughts.
7. Be aware of any concerns or problems the children may have.

Don’ts

1. Let any conflict with your ex overtake you parenting responsibilities.
2. Assume your ex will go along with everything you plan or suggest.
3. Jump to conclusions or overreact if you think there’s a problem.
4. Begin sentences with phrases such as “You always…” or “You never…”.
5. Try to manipulate your children into siding with you.
6. Badmouth your ex in your kids’ earshot.
7. Put conflict with your ex ahead of the kids’ best interests.

Working things out yourselves is always a good first step, but if that fails you have other options. If the situation between you and your ex is too toxic for co-parenting to work, contact Emblem Legal for a consultation on how we may be able to help.