It’s never easy to co-parent with a former spouse, because no matter how amicable the divorce process was, it is bound to have created a rift between the two of you. If you have decided to co-parent, this is great news. It means that you have both committed to putting the past behind you and only want the best for your child or children.
How to make a successful co-parenting relationship
Successful co-parenting starts with both of you taking away the once romantic and personal relationship you had, and committing yourselves fully to the children. In a way, it is a completely new relationship, and you should treat it as such.
How your children will benefit
Co-parenting might be hard for you in the beginning, but your children are going to benefit from this both now and in the long-term. It will mean that they feel secure in knowing that both their mom and their dad not only love them, but love each other enough to be good parents. They will feel a sense of structure and consistency that means they are less likely to worry and will more easily concentrate at school. It also creates positive role models that they can learn from and aspire to.
Controlling emotions
Good co-parents step away from emotions such as anger, resentment and bitterness, and work fully on good communication and problem-solving. There are a whole host of mediators and therapists that can help you achieve this. It is important to also settle all child custody agreements before fully partaking in co-parenting strategies.
Source: Helpguide, “Coparenting tips for divorced parents,” accessed Oct. 20, 2017