If you are co-parenting your child, and need tips on how to make it work. Just check out our expert advice below.
Find a communication method that works for you
One of the most essential things you will need to master for successful coparenting is communication. Working on your ability to communicate clearly and without getting emotional can be very useful here, especially if there is a lot of history between you and your parents.
Also, finding ways of communicating that work for you can help relieve some of the strain in cooperative relationships. For example, setting boundaries such as only responding to texts or emails from your coparent can help them feel less invasive in your life, and so make it easier for you to share responsibility with them.
Show respect to your coparent
No matter what has gone on in your relationship with your coparent beforehand, showing respect to them for your child’s sake can make a big difference. We are not suggesting you have to fake liking them, but instead being civil when you do drop off, and making sure that you do not badmouth them in front of your child is important. Remember, your child has plenty of time to find out what type of human they are and make up their own mind.
Put your child first
Something that can make coparenting so much more successful is to make sure that everyone’s priority is the child involved. Indeed, by always putting your child first and doing what is best for them, you can help keep them happy and well-adjusted.
Of course, you will need to talk to them about what they want to get an idea of this. Never just assume. Although you will need to be careful that you don’t end up asking your child to choose between you and the other coparent here. In some cases, working with an objective trusted person like a counsellor can help.
Get a legal parenting agreement
Another great way of ensuring that your coparenting situation stays successful is to get a legal parenting agreement in place. The reason for this is that by having a child custody attorney work out a legal agreement, both parties will have very clear rules to follow. In turn, this can be very useful in preventing conflict or one coparent getting preferential treatment.
Additionally, this type of parenting agreement can help make the family situation as stable as possible for the child involved. Something that can be a very important aspect of successful coparenting.
Learn to compromise
Last of all, while it might be tough not to have your children with you on special days like birthdays and Christmas, learning to compromise here can be very helpful for coparenting. This is because learning to compromise means you can find a middle way that works for everyone, or an approach that works for one parent this time, with the agreement that it will be done the other way the next. Compromises are also usually great for the child because it means they don’t feel torn or like they have to choose between parents.
