Raising children with a former spouse is almost never a walk in the park, particularly if you had a very nasty divorce. As frustrating as this situation may be, however, the best way to ensure the needs of your children are met is to cooperate with your former spouse and set any lingering resentments aside. Additionally, we put together some tips that will help you and your former spouse effectively co-parent as a team.
Co-Parenting Tips – Learning to Work with Your Ex-Spouse
When it comes to co-parenting with your former spouse, it is essential to find healthy outlets that will allow you to cope with any hurt feelings you may still have regarding your divorce. Your focus now should be on creating a stable and consistent environment for your children, so they feel secure and safe, despite the recent changes your family underwent. You may want to consider finding a therapist or simply confiding in a close friend or family member.
Moreover, although you may wish to avoid communicating with your former spouse as much as possible, you should never use your children as messengers. All messages to your spouse should be communicated through you, whether you choose to text, write an email, make a phone call, or deliver the message in-person. If you use your children as messengers, it will only further add to their stress and, in all likelihood, result in miscommunication.
Below are some additional tips that will assist you with this task:
- Use a business-like tone when communicating with your former spouse.
- Be willing to genuinely apologize to your co-parent for any mistakes or misjudgments.
- Listen to one another.
- Try to set some consistent rules and guidelines across both households to lessen your children’s confusion and anxiety.
- Learn how to compromise and be flexible on certain issues.
- Establish a routine for picking up and dropping off your children.
Being a parent is often a difficult enough task on its own, regardless of marital status. However, for divorced parents, it is undeniably more difficult, so try to apply these tips to your situation to improve your chances of overcoming the obstacles you may face.
Reach Out to Our Compassionate Team to Discuss the Details of Your Case
If you are experiencing some challenges as a divorced parent, you may need the legal guidance of a knowledgeable attorney. At the Law Offices of Jonathan Merel, P.C., our team has the skill and compassion to guide you through this difficult situation. With us on your side, you can rest assured you will receive the best possible results for your family law case.
Call our law office today at (312) 487-2795 to set up an initial consultation with a member of our team to learn more about our services and how we can help you.