When Parenting Means Co-Parenting
Florida residents can learn how to co-parent with former spouses for the good of their joint children.
When faced with the need to raise a child with someone other than a spouse, many challenges arise. This can be the case whether parents were once married or never married to each other. Florida residents in these situations can sometimes develop an adversarial approach to raising their joint children. This, however, is contrary to what is recommended for the good of children.
Joint parental involvement recommended
As noted by Psychology Today, the more parents can work together positively and collaboratively on behalf of their children, the more secure children will be. While it is understood that this is not necessarily easy, it can at times be easier than many people may think. A good place to start is with mindset. Putting the good of the children first and foremost in one’s mind can go a long way toward directing ultimate actions and words-or the lack thereof.
The Florida legislature website notes that courts prefer when both parents are involved in a child’s life and work to create such situations. Exceptions are made in cases involving abuse or other factors that could be harmful to children.
How can parents make working together easier?
Generally speaking, when two parents are raising their children in separate homes, it is safe to assume that the parents found living together difficult. They can, however, utilize some of the following tips to make parenting together more possible.
- As noted by Focus on the Family, parents should communicate directly with each other, not through their children. Additionally, children should not be used as a way of getting information about the other parent.
- Each parent should openly encourage a positive relationship with the other parent and even extended family members.
- Parents should find ways to support decisions made by each other such as enforcing bed times or monitoring what movies are seen.
- Polite greetings should always be exchanged when attending children’s events together or when taking children to the other person’s home.
It is also important to find the right balance between maintaining the parenting and visitation schedule as agreed upon but also being flexible when unique situations arise. For example, if a dad is supposed to have the children on what would be the mother’s birthday that could be cause for adjusting visitation dates.
Get the right help
The Huffington Post noted that many apps have been developed to help divorced or single parents better track finances pertaining to their kids. This can be a good way of preventing conflict and facilitating a more positive environment. It is also advised to work with an attorney when developing child custody or visitation plans in Florida.
