5 Co-Parenting Tips from a Family Law Attorney
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Co-parenting after a separation or divorce is challenging. A united and intentional co-parenting front will offer your children meaningful relationships with both parents, reduce anxiety with predictable schedules, and help your children feel physically and emotionally stable. However, co-parenting is hardly a walk in the park. Collaborating with someone you’ve ended a relationship with is not something most people look forward to, but your children deserve the very best that you and your ex have to offer.
If you are feeling daunted by the challenge of co-parenting, these five tips can help you navigate challenges, build strong systems, and give your children the foundation they need to thrive.
1. Communicate Clearly and Keep It Child-Focused
Communication is key in co-parenting. When communicating with your child’s other parent,
keep things focused on parenting decisions at hand. Staying centered on your kids will help you
co-parent civilly, efficiently, and effectively.
You may consider using tools such as shared calendars or co-parenting apps to keep a record
of all of your communication and decisions in one place.
By keeping communication channels clear and prioritizing your children’s needs, you are on the
right track to be the co-parents your children deserve.
2. Create a Flexible, Consistent Parenting Plan
Kids thrive with consistency. As such, do all you can to create a consistent schedule for your
children. Your plan should include:
A regular custody schedule
How holidays and special occasions will be handled
Which parent handles specific responsibilities
Having a plan is essential, but we all know that life, especially with children, can be
unpredictable. It’s important to leave room for flexibility so your children always have the best
possible options available to them.
For example, many parents include a right of first refusal in their custody plan. This right means
that if the parent who has the children has a commitment that will require child care, the other parent
can provide the child care and take advantage of extra time with the kids.
3. Involve Extended Family for Extra Support
It takes a village to raise a child, and extended family is the perfect village to support you and
your children. Grandparents and other relatives can help with co-parenting by providing stability
and continuity for your children, reinforcing family traditions, providing child care, strengthening
identity, and building a community around your child.
A supportive family network gives your child more emotional anchors, which helps them to build
memories, learn, grow, and thrive.
4. Handle Conflict with Patience and Empathy
Even in the best situations, parents disagree on how to help their children thrive. Disagreements
are common in co-parenting. It’s just a sign that both parents care deeply about helping the
children. When disagreements do arise, stay calm and focus on finding solutions, not winning
the argument.
If you are unable to resolve the issue between yourselves, you may be able to attend a co—parenting counseling or mediation for additional help and support.
During these times of conflict, check in with your child regularly. Ensure that they are coping
well with the situation, and do all you can to emphasize your love and support.
5. Know When to Seek Legal Help
Both you and your ex want what’s best for your children, but you may not always agree on what
is best. If you find yourselves clashing over fundamental aspects of your custody plans, and
other counseling options are not helping, it may be time to request legal help.
A family law attorney can help you resolve disagreements, make changes to your custody plan,
and ensure that your children’s best interests are protected.
Co-parenting isn’t easy, but staying child-centered, respectful, and supported, both legally and
emotionally, can help your family thrive after divorce or separation.
Author Bio:
Brett A. Pritchard, a father to eight children who also enjoys spending time with his two grandchildren, is passionate about helping clients with their family law concerns. Brett is also a formidable Texas attorney with a reputation for aggressively protecting clients' rights. I’m licensed to practice law in every city and county within the State of Texas by the State Bar of Texas, and have been since 1999. Schedule a FREE initial consultation today.
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