Having to co-parent a child isn’t always easy, but when you can do it without too much conflict, your child is the one who reaps the benefits of the situation. Co-parenting is something that can make you and your ex a bit uncomfortable.
One way that you can co-parent with your ex is to do things together as a family with your child. This isn’t always ideal; however, it can help your child to enjoy special events. Think about the smile on your child’s face if you and your child’s other parent are both at a school play or you go to the fair as a family.
When you and your ex opt to do things together with your child, remember that this isn’t the time to hash out differences or issues that you have with the custody arrangement. Instead, you need to just focus on your child.
When you and your ex are at your own homes, you can’t step into the mix if there is something that goes on at your ex’s home. The child has to learn how to live by your rules and your ex’s rules. This can be difficult for younger children. In this case, you and your ex might have to take the time to work out some mutual rules to make the transition easier.
Even if you opt to co-parent, there will still be a child custody order in place. This order is the backbone of what you can expect from the situation. Following this order ensures that you are in compliance with the legal aspects of the case. If you have any questions or need to have any modifications made, you can always turn to the court for assistance.
Source: The Huffington Post, “Co-Parenting After A Difficult Divorce: A Delicate Balance,” Danilo Alfaro, Contributor, accessed March 10, 2017
