Some parents who are no longer involved in a romantic relationship may choose to co-parent. This means that they opt to work closely as a parenting team even though they aren’t romantically involved with each other anymore.
Co-parenting isn’t ideal for all situations. Typically, it’s only suitable if parents can communicate, compromise and put the children first. Situations involving abuse, neglect or considerable conflict aren’t conducive to the co-parenting model. In these instances, parallel parenting tends to work better for those who share parenting time.
For those who choose to co-parent, finding ways to make the situation as stress-free as possible can be beneficial to the adults and the children alike. These tips can be a good place to start for those embarking on co-parenting.
Communicate directly
Because co-parents must work closely together, they need to ensure that they can communicate directly with each other. This can be done through phone calls or text messages. Some co-parents use parenting apps that can keep communication and schedules organized.
Show the children joint support
Co-parents may have a very casual relationship that makes it easy for them to show joint support for the children. It may be beneficial for them to set rules for these encounters, such as avoiding discussing things that might lead to disagreements. These rules may extend to others who are invited to join in to show support for the children.
Compromise with each other
The co-parenting style offers the possibility of compromise. This can include working together on things like adjusting the child’s schedule to accommodate special events with one parent or setting ground rules for electronic devices. Both parents should be willing to compromise as long as the final decision is what’s best for the children.
Set up a parenting plan
A parenting plan provides everyone with ground rules and a schedule to follow. This document can contain as much as information as necessary to keep everything straight. It should be set up based on what the children need. A legal representative can help parents to determine what areas they should cover in the plan to make the situation easier for everyone, all around.