Personalized Legal Services Since 1984

3 tips for improving co-parenting communication

On Behalf of | Jan 19, 2022 | Family Law

When you and your spouse decided to divorce, you may have committed to co-parenting your children. This is an arrangement that many parents decide upon going into the divorce process.

According to Childstats.gov, in 2020 in the U.S., only 69% of children ages 6 to 14 and 75% of children ages 0 to 5 lived with both parents. To make your co-parenting arrangement work, you and your spouse must effectively communicate with each other.

1. Schedule conversations

Once you have a co-parenting schedule in place following the divorce process, you may not need to or want to communicate with your ex very frequently. However, you should still schedule conversations with your ex to talk about your children and to schedule school events, sports practices, holidays and other occasions.

2. Focus on your children

Divorce can be an emotionally trying process, and you may still have feelings of resentment, anger or frustration built up from ending your marriage. Do not let these emotions spill over into your conversations with your ex, and keep your discussions solely focused on your children.

3. Remain professional

Treat your co-parenting relationship like a business relationship. Set clear boundaries and treat your ex like you would your colleagues in the workplace with professionalism and cordiality.

Remember that the issues that led to your separation and divorce do not apply to your co-parenting relationship. Leave these problems in the past and focus on the best interests of your children to form an ongoing and effective co-parenting relationship with your ex;

Archives