What is Co-Parenting and How to Go About it After Divorce

Divorce is hard enough on its own. Add kids to mix and the challenges can feel exponential. Numerous studies, however, highlight the importance of healthy co-parenting after divorce. Children whose divorced parents can amicably work together tend to have better mental health and self-esteem outcomes as well as stronger relationships with both parents individually.

What is co-parenting?

Though divorced, both parents can and should still play an active role in their children’s daily lives, provided a parent has not faced serious issues such as domestic or substance abuse. While this is undeniably challenging for parents who have split, the efforts to work together are well worth it for your children’s overall well-being.

How to effectively co-parent after divorce

Finding a way to make co-parenting work for you and your ex will likely come with some trial and error. The important part is not to give up. With effort, you’ll find a routine that works for everyone and one that provides consistency and calm for your kids. Here are some places to start:

• Establish consistency and maintain frequent communication – For your children’s sake, keep your ex in the loop about schedules, activities, planned trips, and other relevant information. Find a method of communication that works well for both of you and make sure to update as needed if changes come up. There’s nothing worse than having a child stuck waiting at the school with no parent to pick him or her up. It’s also important for your children to experience consistency with things like rules, discipline and schedule as they transition between parents.
• Keep your kids out of any conflict or legal details – It’s normal for all the emotions to surface during and after divorce, but your children don’t need to be involved in arguments between you and your ex. Shield them as best you can.
• Abide by any court rulings – Follow the rules set forth by the court in terms of child support, visitation, and any other rulings made in your case.
• Parent as a team – It can be hard to separate your feelings from behavior, but when you focus on your kids, you will achieve the best outcome for everyone. Find a way to co-parent together and allow yourself and your ex a little flexibility if things don’t go as planned.

Co-parenting after divorce may feel awkward at first, but it will get easier with time. When both parents keep their kids front-and-center, it will help them more easily overcome their challenges and find a way to make transitions and any hurdles they encounter easier.

At Vasquez de Lara Law Group, we understand how difficult parenting can be before, during, and after divorce. Our team is here to help with any questions and offer guidance on how to best navigate parenting and custody challenges in the eyes of the law. Contact us today to schedule a consultation or ask your questions.