Co-parenting is a newer word that is used to describe the situation in which two parents who do not live together (and who are not in a relationship with each other) continue to share the responsibility for raising their children. This is a variable scenario and is influenced by a large number of factors; it looks and feels differently for everybody. Two major factors are the distance from which the parents live from each other and how old the kids are. New co-parents often have a difficult time figuring out what to do and can easily get frustrated and the following tips and tricks can help make the entire situation feel easier to handle.
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One of the most awkward aspects of co-parenting is the fact that the children are going in between parents. You should not make this worse, however, by asking them lots of questions when they return from the other parent's house. Kids typically don't want to say that much, if they want to say anything at all. Interrogating your child is really not going to help the situation. Using a child to deliver messages because you do not want to talk to the other parent is absolutely bad behavior. If you have a message for them, you need to pick up the phone. Children should be kept from the middle of such issues. It is never good for them.
When parents split up, it can cause a rift between the extended families as well. Whenever possible, work to maintain the relationship your child has with his or her other parent's family. Do not force a separation between them and your child simply because the relationship between you and the other parent is gone. Your kids are going to form bonds with their other grandparents and other extended family members and it is important that you work hard to stay on good terms with those people so that you do not jeopardize your child's relationship with them. Doing this can help make your life easier for those times when you might need help with things like babysitting, transportation, etc. Even when you don't enjoy a good personal relationship, your kids shouldn't be kept apart from them.
Whatever you plan to do, make sure that the other parent is part planning process to make things flow smoothly. Depending on the situation, the courts might have set up a basic schedule for you. If not, you may want to consult with a mediator or counselor to help you come up with a workable plan. Unless the parents completely hate each other, a mediator is the best possible solution to setting up a schedule that both will comply with. In most cases, conflict and resentment will definitely manifests if a specific schedule is not created and followed. The more issues are written down on paper, the less likelihood there is that a conflict will arise later. If your goal is to make your child happy, then you need to take these tips and strategies about co-parenting, plus learn a few more along the way. Deciding on the best plan, especially in the beginning, is really a difficult thing to do. Some parents will be very hostile toward one another. This typically happens early on. You need to try your best to get along with the other parent. It's all about the kids. Remember?
