Tips that Can Help Make Co-Parenting Easier on Parents Who are Divorced

Your divorce has been finalized, a Parenting Plan has been established, and you and your ex-partner are now heading down your own separate paths. Now what?

When a couple divorces and a Parenting Plan has been entered by the Court, it can be difficult for some parents to adjust to having their child go back and forth between households. Sometimes, conflicts arise between you and your child’s other parent or your meetings to either drop off or pick up the children tend to develop into heated arguments. The reality is, many people often feel some sort of resentment towards their ex-spouse/partner which can make raising your child(ren) all the more difficult as the two of you can’t seem to agree on anything.

However, because you both will be raising your child(ren), it is important that you find a way to work together so that there isn’t always tension in the air when picking up or dropping off your kids, or when the two of you must meet to discuss pressing issues. These are examples as to why the courts require that a Parenting Plan be entered, it is an attempt to establish a healthy co-parenting relationship with your ex-spouse/partner and child(ren).  Why not treat it like a business relationship? You both have certain duties you are responsible for fulfilling and you both need to play your part so that your child(ren) are able to receive the care and love they need. 

So, how do you do this? There is a list of guidelines which can be implemented, as stated below:

1. We agree to keep conflict between us away from our children.
2. We will be respectful in our words and not put each other down in front of the children.
3. We will only say positive things about each other when the children are present.
4. We will not make promises we can’t keep.
5. We will not ask the children to choose between us.
6. We will encourage our children to love and respect both parents.
7. We agree to send messages to each other directly or through another adult. We will not send messages with the children.
8. We will each respect the relationships we have made with new partners.
9. We will ask new partners and members of our family to respect these guidelines as well.

Not only might these guidelines help you and your ex to develop a healthier relationship than you had before the agreement, but it can make life much easier on your child(ren). As you may already know, arguing, fighting, and bickering can lead a child to feeling guilty and emotionally distressed, as though they brought on the argument. It can also increase stress in everyone’s lives. So, rather than dreading having to meet with your ex, regardless of the reasoning, these guidelines can help you and them both set some ground rules and establish a new relationship between the two of you, being parents to your child(ren). 

Aside from agreeing to the guidelines mentioned above, you also can turn to South Florida Family Law Attorney Jodie Bassichis to help you and your ex-spouse/partner find a way to make your co-parenting relationship work for the sake of your child(ren). Jodie Bassichis, Esquire was a Supreme Court certified mediator and is trained and qualified to help you identify your issues and resolve them so that you can live your own lives but be the parents your children need.

To find out more about how our firm can help you, call us at 954-963-7300 to schedule a free consultation where you will be given the opportunity to find out this information and more.

The Law Offices of Jodie Bassichis, P.A. is located at:
Jodie Bassichis, PA
4700 Sheridan Street, Suite J
Hollywood, Florida 33021 (954) 963-7300 jbassichislaw@gmail.com
www.FloridaDivorceSource.com