Going through a divorce when you have children means that each decision you make can impact the kids. You and your spouse can help to set a calm tone for the co-parenting relationship by remaining peaceful during the divorce.
It might not be easy to remain amicable with your co-parent, but it may help to treat the situation in a business-like manner. Taking emotions out of the equation could benefit everyone involved. Unless there was abuse or neglect that could impact the children, keeping the past in the past is usually for the best.
Communication challenges
Having to communicate with your co-parent might be one of the biggest challenges that you face when you’re going through a divorce. All communication should be direct. Never ask the children to relay messages between you. That’s not their responsibility. Also, you run the risk of miscommunication and also of the children having to deal with negative reactions. Make sure that you remain calm and keep an open mind during conversations. Take a step back if things get too contentious.
United parenting front
Being able to show the children a united parenting front can help them to feel a bit more stable as they embark on a new life split between two homes. This can also reduce the chance that they’ll try to play one parent against the other to get their way.
Ultimately, you and your co-parent know the most about what each child needs. Making the effort to get the parenting plan set benefits everyone involved. Having experienced legal guidance can help you find creative solutions to ensure your kids remain the focus.