prabhuDivorce can be a distressing event in itself, however, it can be even more difficult to navigate when children are involved.
Generally, unless your family has suffered incidents such as abuse, it is beneficial for both parents to remain in their child’s life. This can provide stability during an unsteady time and give the child as much support as possible.
Co-parenting can be a challenge when a relationship has broken down but it’s important to rise above any animosity so that you can create the best possible environment for your child. Consulting with reputable family law solicitors could help you come up with a plan of action while navigating legal elements so that the outcome is as fair as possible.
If you’re a parent who’s going through or contemplating a divorce, there are some things you may need to consider when it comes to joint custody and co-parenting.
What is co-parenting?
Co-parenting refers to the responsibility that both parents have in bringing up a child while separated. This means sharing parental duties so that the child can live comfortably. Even when your relationship has broken down with one another, it’s important not to let this get in the way of being a good parent after a breakup.
Be willing to compromise
Sharing your time and attention requires compromise. It’s understandable for each parent to want to spend as much time as possible with their child after a divorce, however, it’s important to accept that your circumstances might mean your partner should have a large portion of the custody. Perhaps you need to fulfil greater work commitments or your living situation isn’t as suitable.
You will also need to be flexible in case there’s a need to swap dates. This way, both parents can accommodate days off and holidays.
Aim for consistency
Consistency is key in times of great change. The less disruption there is to your child’s lifestyle, the better. This can be tricky when the child is moving between homes regularly.
Be sure to uphold the same values and expectations, such as working hard in school and behaving well at home. Other elements of their routine should ideally be kept the same, such as bedtime routines and meal times.
Keep open lines of communication
A good level of communication with both your child and ex-partner will make the process much easier. This way, you and others can set expectations and check in on how each other is feeling.
You can keep communication with your ex-partner solely about your child if this feels more comfortable. It can be beneficial to share information about their achievements and any concerns too, as this will create a good level of trust between the two of you.
Be cordial with your ex-partner
Part of successful co-parenting means being civil with your ex-partner. You need to put aside any hostility so you can focus on being good parents. It is especially important not to speak poorly about each other in front of your child. This will only put them in a difficult situation where they feel they must take sides.
If you feel you need legal support to navigate divorce and consequent co-parenting, you can reach out to family law firms with solicitors with experience in these types of cases.
