Co-parenting can be both stressful and challenging, especially if you and your ex aren’t seeing eye to eye on how you should raise your children.
While disagreements are likely to happen, there are steps you can take to co-parent with a higher level of success:
- Don’t make it all about you: The key to co-parenting success is putting your children’s wants and needs above your own. If you can get your ex to do the same, you’re in a position to achieve your goals.
- Keep a flexible schedule: You have a parenting and visitation agreement to guide your schedule, but life can get in the way. And when it does, it’s your flexibility that will help keep things on track.
- Stay out of the way: When your children are with your ex, keep your distance. Don’t call them constantly, send text messages or arrive early to pick them up. When you respect your ex’s time, they’ll hopefully do the same.
- Communicate efficiently with your ex: Do your best to find a method of communication that works for both of you. For some, face-to-face communication is best. For others, email or text messaging makes life easier.
- Choose your battles wisely: If you want to argue with your ex, you won’t have to search far to find something that aggravates you. It’s okay to stand your ground, but choose your battles wisely. There are times when it’s best to keep quiet and walk away.
If you’ve tried everything to make the most of co-parenting but your ex continues to cause problems, consider your options regarding child custody litigation. You may need to take the legal steps necessary to request a modification from the court.
