Being a parent is a big responsibility. It requires you to be resilient and put your child’s wellbeing first at all times, even when you may be struggling yourself. If you’re due to go through a divorce, you and your ex-partner will need to take on the responsibility of co-parenting while separated, which can create a new set of challenges.
Here are some strategies to consider for successful co-parenting in shared custody arrangements.
Establish clear communication channels
Communication is key – and especially during times of great change. Generally, it’s advised that you speak to one another openly and as respectfully as possible. Good communication means you can keep each other updated about your child’s wellbeing, which allows you to provide the best support.
You might find it helpful to decide on specific channels for communication. You could look into co-parenting apps (something that has been given more serious consideration in recent years) and shared calendars to stay on top of school events and holidays so you can plan around each other’s schedules. It can be helpful to speak in person or over the phone about more nuanced topics such as school and any issues your child might be facing.
Develop a detailed parenting plan
Parent plans are written agreements between parents. They’re optional but can be useful to formalise child arrangements and help you adapt to a new style of parenting. They outline key details such as:
- Custody schedules (including what happens during school holidays)
- Living arrangements
- How you plan to communicate with one another about your child
- In cases where grandparents take on a more active role, seeking guidance from a grandparent guardianship attorney can ensure that all legal aspects are properly addressed.
- Details around healthcare
- Details around finances (e.g. child maintenance payments and one-off expenses)
- Details around education
- Details about special days in the year (e.g. Mother’s Day, Father’s Day, Christmas and birthdays)
It can be helpful to work with legal professionals such as divorce solicitors to draft a plan that is comprehensive and fair. The plan should meet the needs of all parties involved.
Prioritise the children’s well-being
It’s extremely important to look out for your child during this period. You should keep their best interests at the forefront of co-parenting decisions and where it feels appropriate to do so, speak openly about the situation to ensure they feel supported.
Try to maintain a stable environment with a good routine as it can be good to keep things consistent during unsteady times. Simple acts such as a consistent bedtime routine can make more difference than you might expect.
Adapt and be flexible
Something you’ll need to prioritise while co-parenting is being flexible. Not everything is bound to run smoothly so be patient with one another and adapt, rather than showing resistance. Unexpected events should be handled courteously.
If you’d like legal support to help your co-parenting journey get off to a smoother start, don’t hesitate to contact a reputable family law firm that can handle your case with the level of empathy it deserves.
