Making co-parenting a success for you and your kids

Deciding how to divide parenting responsibilities can be complicated. Creating a parenting plan is difficult and figuring out how to execute it can be even more complex. However, successful co-parenting is important for both you and your kids.

Having a good working relationship with your ex and making your kids’ life function smoothly can help ensure a happy and healthy home for both you and your children.

Benefits of co-parenting

A cooperative relationship with your kids’ other parent can have a significant positive effect on your kids. When divorced parents can work together effectively, kids can adjust more quickly and have better self-esteem. A feeling of security is important in a child’s life. Successful co-parenting can also provide children with consistency, which can lead to healthier mental and emotional states.

Seeing parents work together can also help children problem solve in their own lives. Children who are exposed to a healthier home life, in both situations, may also be less likely to develop issues such as depression and anxiety due to high conflict in their lives.

Co-parenting tips

Successful co-parenting will take some effort, but it can be done. Here are a few tips to help make the process easier:

• Do not let emotions get in the way
• Maintain communication with your ex
• Keep consistency in both parenting situations (rules, schedule, discipline techniques etc.)
• Discuss important decisions with your ex (medical, education, financial issues etc.)
• Do not agonize over small details
• Be open to compromise
• Help your child transition between houses (pack a bag in advance, set reminders)

It is important to try to make your co-parenting situation work for the sake of your kids. Co-parenting might not be easy but there are steps you can take to make the whole process as successful as possible.