Child custody and parenting is an extremely important part of any separation. Peaceful co-parenting is a necessity even when you are not married.
There are ways to ensure your co-parenting is conducive to your child or children’s health.
Start simple
Discuss your co-parenting with your separated partner. Get together to talk about custody and a valid parenting plan. Seek the advice of an attorney to get further input and your questions answered. Then, if still agreed, make it legal with the courts. You will make decisions about the following:
- Parenting schedules
- Access to records
- Decision-making and who has the authority
- Access to the children
You need to define and document each of these decisions for the courts.
Set the ground rules
You must ensure you have ground rules for things like child exchanges, residential custody, guidelines for visiting and speaking with the children and communication with the other parent.
Work on your relationship
Even though your relationship is over, there is still work you need to do. You need to learn to work together for the sake of your children. As parents, you will be in each other’s lives for a long time. It is best to learn to get along for your own well-being and that of your children.
Put your children first
Remember, the best course is to put your kids first. This means leaving personal squabbles and irritations aside and working together to raise your children.
Accept that your ex-partner will not change and focus on being good parents who are positive for their children. Find a way to amicably communicate things to each other.
Ending your romantic relationship is not the end of your relationship as parents. If you can not co-parent peacefully, your children are the only people you are hurting most.