No matter what your feelings toward your ex might be, as a father, you naturally do not want your divorce to negatively affect your children. The two of you will continue to be the children’s parents, no matter what. In almost any type of child custody arrangement, you will have to continue working with your co-parent for years to raise your kids successfully.
Strategies for successful co-parenting
Being a good co-parent with someone you are not married to anymore can be tricky, but it can be done. Here are ten tips for adjusting yourself and your family to the new arrangement.
- Be emotionally present when you spend time with your children. Quantity of time with your kids matters, but so does quality of time.
- Treat your ex respectfully, especially in front of the kids. Keep conflicts out of their sight and hearing as much as possible.
- Don’t try to go it alone. Friends and family can be there to help you work through your negative feelings.
- Let your kids be kids. Don’t put them in the middle of your adult problems with your ex.
- Take care of yourself. To be a good father, you need to make your health and well-being a priority.
Working in harmony with your co-parent begins with a good child custody order. Reaching a custody plan that works for your children requires dependable advice and skilled negotiation from an experienced family law attorney. With a plan that both you and your ex can accept, you are on the right track.