Summary
- Minimize conflict.
- Process emotions related to ex-spouse.
- Have a written plan.
- Listen to your child.
The difficulties of raising a child with an ex-spouse are daunting. The emotions and stress of a breakup magnify the challenges of co-parenting. But by committing to making children’s best interests the first priority, families can be successful.
Identifying the challenges
Parents need to objectively spot and deal with the difficulties of raising children with an ex. To make co-parenting choices that are most helpful to children, ex-spouses need to:
- Find ways to minimize conflict.
- Work on communicating successfully. Effectively coordinate with the former partner about parenting goals and daily routines.
- Process emotions related to their relationship with the former partner.
- Realistically examine child support or custody issues.
Addressing the challenges
A thorough and appropriate parenting plan can help ex-spouses give structure to shared parenting time and child support arrangements, among other issues. A plan needs to be written out, and mediators and other professionals can help. The plans aren’t “one-size-fits-all,” and should be reviewed regularly to address changes within the family, such as adjustments in expenses.
Parents should deal with specific challenges as well, the experts say.
- Parents should not involve their children in conflicts, and never put them in the middle of a struggle between them. Parents to never say anything bad about the other parent around their children.
This also means that parents should not tell their kids to pass messages to the other ex-spouse. If parents can’t handle it themselves, they should find a neutral party to help.
Some areas have established safe, designated drop-off centers where parents can exchange custody of their children if they’re at risk of exposure to conflict.
- Ex-spouses should find ways to communicate with each other. In some cases, email messages may be the most effective means of communicating. Create an agenda for communications such as phone calls. The other parent should be notified of all issues that affect her child. This includes appointments, trips and schedule changes, and behavior issues. School teachers and administrators could help alert a parent to important school-related events.
- Ex-spouses should recognize and work through their difficult emotions to help accept the situation.
- Take advantage of resources such as mediators, counselors, support groups, books and workshops or seminars.
- Parents should listen to children and let them know their feelings are valid. Parents should not give up if they feel pushed away. Stay involved and provide reassurance.
The golden rule may be for a parent to behave as he would want the other parent to act. Most families can find ways to put their kids first and communicate calmly.
Summary
- Minimize conflict.
- Process emotions related to ex-spouse.
- Have a written plan.
- Listen to your child.
The difficulties of raising a child with an ex-spouse are daunting. The emotions and stress of a breakup magnify the challenges of co-parenting. But by committing to making children’s best interests the first priority, families can be successful.
Identifying the challenges
Parents need to objectively spot and deal with the difficulties of raising children with an ex. To make co-parenting choices that are most helpful to children, ex-spouses need to:
- Find ways to minimize conflict.
- Work on communicating successfully. Effectively coordinate with the former partner about parenting goals and daily routines.
- Process emotions related to their relationship with the former partner.
- Realistically examine child support or custody issues.
Addressing the challenges
A thorough and appropriate parenting plan can help ex-spouses give structure to shared parenting time and child support arrangements, among other issues. A plan needs to be written out, and mediators and other professionals can help. The plans aren’t “one-size-fits-all,” and should be reviewed regularly to address changes within the family, such as adjustments in expenses.
Parents should deal with specific challenges as well, the experts say.
- Parents should not involve their children in conflicts, and never put them in the middle of a struggle between them. Parents to never say anything bad about the other parent around their children.
This also means that parents should not tell their kids to pass messages to the other ex-spouse. If parents can’t handle it themselves, they should find a neutral party to help.
Some areas have established safe, designated drop-off centers where parents can exchange custody of their children if they’re at risk of exposure to conflict.
- Ex-spouses should find ways to communicate with each other. In some cases, email messages may be the most effective means of communicating. Create an agenda for communications such as phone calls. The other parent should be notified of all issues that affect her child. This includes appointments, trips and schedule changes, and behavior issues. School teachers and administrators could help alert a parent to important school-related events.
- Ex-spouses should recognize and work through their difficult emotions to help accept the situation.
- Take advantage of resources such as mediators, counselors, support groups, books and workshops or seminars.
- Parents should listen to children and let them know their feelings are valid. Parents should not give up if they feel pushed away. Stay involved and provide reassurance.
The golden rule may be for a parent to behave as he would want the other parent to act. Most families can find ways to put their kids first and communicate calmly.
Summary
- Minimize conflict.
- Process emotions related to ex-spouse.
- Have a written plan.
- Listen to your child.
The difficulties of raising a child with an ex-spouse are daunting. The emotions and stress of a breakup magnify the challenges of co-parenting. But by committing to making children’s best interests the first priority, families can be successful.
Identifying the challenges
Parents need to objectively spot and deal with the difficulties of raising children with an ex. To make co-parenting choices that are most helpful to children, ex-spouses need to:
- Find ways to minimize conflict.
- Work on communicating successfully. Effectively coordinate with the former partner about parenting goals and daily routines.
- Process emotions related to their relationship with the former partner.
- Realistically examine child support or custody issues.
Addressing the challenges
A thorough and appropriate parenting plan can help ex-spouses give structure to shared parenting time and child support arrangements, among other issues. A plan needs to be written out, and mediators and other professionals can help. The plans aren’t “one-size-fits-all,” and should be reviewed regularly to address changes within the family, such as adjustments in expenses.
Parents should deal with specific challenges as well, the experts say.
- Parents should not involve their children in conflicts, and never put them in the middle of a struggle between them. Parents to never say anything bad about the other parent around their children.
This also means that parents should not tell their kids to pass messages to the other ex-spouse. If parents can’t handle it themselves, they should find a neutral party to help.
Some areas have established safe, designated drop-off centers where parents can exchange custody of their children if they’re at risk of exposure to conflict.
- Ex-spouses should find ways to communicate with each other. In some cases, email messages may be the most effective means of communicating. Create an agenda for communications such as phone calls. The other parent should be notified of all issues that affect her child. This includes appointments, trips and schedule changes, and behavior issues. School teachers and administrators could help alert a parent to important school-related events.
- Ex-spouses should recognize and work through their difficult emotions to help accept the situation.
- Take advantage of resources such as mediators, counselors, support groups, books and workshops or seminars.
- Parents should listen to children and let them know their feelings are valid. Parents should not give up if they feel pushed away. Stay involved and provide reassurance.
The golden rule may be for a parent to behave as he would want the other parent to act. Most families can find ways to put their kids first and communicate calmly.